Method Of And Apparatus For Encoding And Decoding Data

ABSTRACT

Each block of texture data elements is encoded as a block of texture data. The encoding process includes determining for each block of texture data elements whether the set of texture data elements of the block all have sufficiently similar data values. If they do, the extent of a region within the texture including the block in which every texture data element has sufficiently similar data values is then determined, and an encoded texture data block to represent the block of texture data elements that indicates that the block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, and that includes data indicating the constant data value for the block and data indicating the extent of the region within the texture that the block relates to, is generated.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to UK Application No. 1107523.1 filed May 5, 2011 and UK Application No. 1118037.9 filed Oct. 19, 2011, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The technology described herein relates to a method of and apparatus for encoding and decoding data, and in particular to such a method and apparatus for use to compress and decompress texture data in computer graphics systems.

It is common in computer graphics systems to generate colours for sampling positions in the image to be displayed by applying so-called textures or texture data to the surfaces to be drawn. For example, surface detail on objects may be generated by applying a predefined “texture” to a set of polygons representing the object, to give the rendered image of the object the appearance of the “texture”. Such textures are typically applied by storing an array of texture elements or “texels”, each representing given texture data (such as colour, luminance, and/or light/shadow, etc. values), and then mapping the texels onto the corresponding elements, such as (and, indeed, typically) a set of sampling positions, for the image to be displayed. The stored arrays of texture elements (data) are typically referred to as “texture maps”.

Such arrangements can provide high image quality, but have a number of drawbacks. In particular, the storage of the texture data and accessing it in use can place, e.g., high storage and bandwidth requirements on a graphics processing device (or conversely lead to a loss in performance where such requirements are not met). This is particularly significant for mobile and handheld devices that perform graphics processing, as such devices are inherently limited in their, e.g., storage, bandwidth and power resources and capabilities.

It is known therefore to try to encode such texture data in a “compressed” form so as to try to reduce, e.g., the storage and bandwidth burden that may be imposed on a device.

One known such texture data compression technique determines a set or palette of colours to be used for, e.g., a given texture map, and then stores for each texture element (texel) in the texture map an index into the set or palette of colours, indicating the colour to be used for that texel. This has the advantage that only an index, rather than a full (e.g.) colour value needs to be stored for each texel. This helps to reduce, e.g., the texture data storage requirements, but still has some drawbacks, such as in terms of reduced image quality and the necessary data processing.

Another known texture compression technique is to use so-called block truncation coding (BTC). In this technique the overall texture array (texture map) is subdivided into smaller blocks, e.g. of 4×4 texels, and a number (typically two) of base or primary colour values are determined for each such block, with each texel in the block being set to one of the base colour values. This again saves on the data that has to be stored and accessed, but at a cost of lower image quality.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,853 describes an improved block truncation coding technique. In this technique, two base colours are again stored for each texel block, but two additional colours to be used for the block are also derived from those two base colours (e.g. by linearly blending those colours). In this way, four colours are provided as a “palette” for the texel block, but only two colour values need to be stored for the block. Each texel in the block is then encoded using two bits, to indicate which of the four block “colours” should be used for the texel. This system provides improved image quality over basic block truncation coding, but requires more data per block.

The Applicants believe that there remains scope for improved data encoding and compression techniques, particularly for use for texture data for graphics processing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A number of embodiments of the technology described herein will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows schematically the encoding of an array of image data as a plurality of encoded data blocks in accordance with an embodiment of the technology described herein;

FIG. 2 shows schematically the encoding of a partitioned data block in the described embodiment of the technology described herein; and

FIGS. 3 to 11 show encoded block layouts of the described embodiment of the technology described herein; and

FIG. 12 shows schematically a graphics processing system that can use texture data that has been encoded in the manner of the described embodiment of the technology described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of encoding texture data elements of a texture to be used in a graphics processing system, comprising:

generating one or more encoded blocks of texture data representing the texture data elements of the texture; and

including in at least one of the encoded texture data blocks:

data indicating that the block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded.

Another embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for encoding texture data elements of a texture to be used in a graphics processing system, the apparatus comprising:

processing circuitry for generating one or more encoded blocks of texture data representing the texture data elements of the texture; and

processing circuitry for including in an encoded texture data block data indicating that the block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a block of texture data representing texture data elements of a texture to be used in a graphics processing system, comprising:

data indicating that the block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded.

In the technology described herein, an encoded texture data block can include an indication that the block specifies a region within the texture in which every decoded texture data element should have the same, constant data value. In other words, an encoded texture data block can specify a region in the texture that will return when sampled, a constant data value (e.g. the same, constant, colour value) for each texture data element.

Using such a block in an encoded texture can allow the decoder (the texture mapping process) to operate more efficiently, for example by avoiding subsequent passes in a multi-pass texture mapping process, and/or by avoiding sampling lower mipmaps, etc. (as will be discussed further below).

The data indicating that the encoded texture data block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element should be decoded to the same data value can comprise any suitable such data. It in an embodiment comprises a predefined “block-type” indicator, such as a flag, that is included in the encoded texture data block, in an embodiment in a selected, in an embodiment predefined, position in the encoded block. It in an embodiment comprises a predefined bit pattern, which is in an embodiment placed at the beginning of the encoded block.

The “constant texture data element data value” region indicating block in an embodiment includes, as well as the flag or other indicator identifying it as such, information conveying the constant data value (e.g. colour) that the texture data elements of the region that the block specifies are to have when decoded. This constant data value can be indicated in any desired and suitable manner. It is in an embodiment included (encoded) (explicitly) in the encoded texture data block.

The encoded constant data value region block in an embodiment also specifies the region of the texture that it relates to (i.e. the region of the texture having the constant data value texture data elements when sampled that the encoded block is intended to indicate). This indication can be given in any desired and suitable manner, such as by using an index to indicate a predefined texture region (and/or set of texture data elements).

In an embodiment, the region of the texture (and the set of texture data elements) that the encoded, constant data value-indicating block relates to is indicated in the encoded block itself, in an embodiment by including in the encoded block data indicating a region of the texture (and/or a set of texture data elements) that the block relates to (that the constant data value applies for). This data is in an embodiment in the form of an indication of the extent of the constant data value region within the texture, in an embodiment in terms of the texture positions (texture coordinates) that the constant data value region extends over.

Thus, in an embodiment, the encoded constant data value region indicating block includes a set of texture positions (co-ordinates) indicating the extent of the region within the texture that the block relates to. As will be discussed below, in an embodiment, this position information can, and in an embodiment does, indicate texture data elements (texture positions (coordinates) within the texture) outside or that extend beyond the texture data elements (positions) that the encoded block would normally represent.

The above information can be included in the encoded texture data block in any desired order and arrangement, but in an embodiment a particular (and in an embodiment common) format and organisation is used for each constant data value region indicating encoded texture data block.

In an embodiment this format comprises including the constant data value “block-type” indicator at the beginning of the encoded block, followed by the (e.g., and in an embodiment, position) information indicating the region of the texture (the set of texture data elements) that the block relates to (which in an embodiment indicates the extent of the constant data value region that the block indicates), followed by the data indicating the constant data value for the block. Other arrangements would, of course, be possible.

The region of the texture that the constant data value region block relates to may comprise any suitable and desired region of, and set of texture data elements from, the texture being encoded (that should share a constant data value when decoded). It in an embodiment comprises a contiguous region of the texture (and contiguous set of texture data elements in the texture) being encoded, and in an embodiment a rectangular (including square) (for 2D) or a rectangular cuboid (including cubical) (for 3D) region of the texture (set of texture data elements).

In an embodiment the region of the texture that the constant data value region block relates to comprises at least the “normal” set (block) of texture data elements that encoded blocks of texture data will relate to in the encoding scheme in question (such that, e.g., where the encoding scheme divides a texture map into 4×4 blocks of texels for encoding purposes, the constant data value region block will (at least) relate to the 4×4 block of texels that the encoded block is intended to represent in the encoding scheme). However, this is not essential, and the region (set of texture data elements) that the constant data value region block relates need not include all the “normal” set of texture data elements that the encoded block would normally relate to in the encoding scheme in question, and/or can include more than the “normal” set of texture data elements that the encoded block would normally relate to in the encoding scheme in question.

In an embodiment, the constant data value region indicating texture data block can indicate (and does indicate) that texture regions and texture data elements that fall outside the normal extent of the block should also have the common, constant data value when decoded. In an embodiment the encoded block can indicate that texture regions and texture data elements falling within an adjacent encoded block or blocks should also have the same constant data value when decoded.

This can then be used, for example, to allow the texture mapping process to avoid loading adjacent encoded blocks, where a constant data value block has already been loaded and indicates that adjacent texels and/or encoded blocks will also decode to the same constant data value (e.g. colour).

In an embodiment, the region of the texture (the set of texture data elements) that the constant data value region block relates to includes all the “normal” set of texture data elements (texture positions (co-ordinates)) that the encoded block would normally relate to in the encoding scheme in question, and other texture data elements (and texture positions) beyond (outside) the set of texture data elements (the texture positions) that the encoded block would normally relate to in the encoding scheme in question. Thus, in an embodiment, the constant data value region indicating block specifies a region of the texture having (decoding to) a constant data value that includes both the texture data element positions of the set of texture data elements that the block is specifically intended to encode, and texture data element positions that extend beyond the texture data element positions of the set of texture data elements that the block is specifically intended to encode (i.e. texture data element positions that fall within (and that are (to be) represented by) other encoded texture data blocks).

In this case, the constant data value indicating block will then effectively indicate that the block has a constant data value that is common to (to be used in common for) the set of texture data elements that the block specifically relates to, and additionally specify a region within the encoded texture (beyond the set of texture data elements that the block specifically relates to) in which every texture data element should also be allocated that constant data value when decoded.

Thus in an embodiment the region of the texture that the constant data value region block relates to is an extended region of the texture, i.e. a region of the texture that extends beyond the set of texture data elements that the block specifically represents (or would normally represent). Thus, in an embodiment, the encoded block includes data indicating that the block specifies an extended region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded.

It is also not necessary for the region of the texture that the constant data value region block relates to to be aligned to texture data element block boundaries (and indeed this may be more likely not to be the case). Thus, in an embodiment the region of the texture that the constant data value region block relates to is not completely aligned with the boundaries of blocks of texture data elements, that the original texture is divided into for encoding purposes.

In an embodiment, a constant data value region indicating block can also be used to indicate an encoded texture data block in which all the texture data elements of the block (that the block represents) have (should be allocated when decoded) the same data value (e.g. colour), but without the block also being interpreted as specifying an extended region within the encoded texture in which every texture data element's value (e.g. colour) will be identical to this constant value.

This will then, in effect, identify a constant data value (e.g. a constant colour) block of encoded texture data elements to the decoder. This may be useful where the encoder is unable to identify larger regions within the texture that have the same, constant data value, but it is still desired to use (and indicate) constant data value (e.g. constant-color) blocks.

In this arrangement, the constant data value region block is in an embodiment configured to indicate that the block is in fact only a “constant data value block” (and does not in fact also specify an extended region within the encoded texture in which every texture data element's value (e.g. colour) is to be identical to this constant value). This is in an embodiment done by setting the, e.g. position, information indicating the region that the block relates to included in the encoded block to a predefined (predetermined) value that has been set aside for this purpose, such as an all-1s pattern.

In this case, the encoded texture data block will accordingly include the constant-data value region block-type indicator, together with an indication of the constant data value in question, but the indication of the region of the texture that the block (that the constant data value) applies to will be set to a predefined value, such as all 1s.

As will be discussed further below, in an embodiment the decoding process is configured to assume that if a block indicating a region that has a constant data value appears in a mipmap other than the most detailed one, then the constant data value region applies to all more detailed mipmap levels as well. (This then means that a texture mapper that implements mipmapping as a multipass method may sample the least detailed mipmap first, and if it encounters a constant data region block, it may then abstain from sampling the more detailed mipmap.)

However, the Applicants have recognised that where a region in a higher mipmap has a constant data value (e.g. colour), it is not necessarily always the case that the corresponding region in any lower mipmap will have the same, constant color. For example, this may always be the case for the top 1×1 level of any mipmap pyramid, and may also be the case for lower levels as well, in case of, e.g. checkerboard textures.

In view of this, where the constant data value region block can be configured as discussed above, to indicate that the block is in fact only a “constant data value block” (and does not in fact also specify an extended region within the encoded texture in which every texture data element's value is to be identical to the constant value), then in an embodiment it can also be indicated by such a constant data value block whether the constant data value applies to lower level (more detailed) mipmaps or not.

Thus, the constant data value region block is in an embodiment able to be configured to indicate that the block is in fact only a “constant data value block” (and does not in fact also specify an extended region within the encoded texture in which every texture data element's value (e.g. colour) is to identical to the constant value), and also that the constant data value does not apply to lower level (more detailed) mipmaps. This is in an embodiment done by setting the information indicating the region that the block relates to included in the encoded block to a predefined (predetermined) value that has been set aside for this purpose, such as an all-0s pattern.

In this case, the encoded texture data block will accordingly include the constant-data value region block-type indicator, together with an indication of the constant data value in question, but the indication of the region of the texture that the block (that the constant data value) applies to will be set to a predefined value, such as all 0s, that indicates that the constant data value does not apply to lower level (more detailed) mipmaps.

Thus, in an embodiment, there are two predefined values for the information indicating the region that the block relates to that indicate that the encoded block is in fact only a “constant data value block” (and does not also specify an extended region within the texture in which every texture data element's value is to be identical to this constant value), with one of these predefined values, such as all-1s, indicating that the constant data value does apply to lower level (more detailed) mipmaps, and the other predefined value, such as all-0s, indicating that the constant data value does not apply to lower level (more detailed) mipmaps.

Suitable regions of a texture to be encoded as constant data value encoded texture data blocks having the form of the technology described herein can be identified in any desired and suitable manner in the encoding process (by the encoder).

Essentially, the encoding process should look to (and in an embodiment does look to) identify regions of the texture that are suitable to be encoded as constant data value regions. This is in an embodiment done based on the values of the texture data elements in the original texture to be encoded. In an embodiment, regions of the texture where all the texture data elements have sufficiently similar data values to be encoded as constant data value blocks (based, e.g., and in an embodiment, on some selected, in an embodiment predetermined, similarity margin or threshold) are identified and then encoded as constant data value blocks.

For example, the encoding process and encoder could look for and identify, in an embodiment contiguous, regions in the original texture to be encoded where all the texture data elements have the same data (e.g. colour) value (and in an embodiment this is done). It would also be possible, e.g., to allow some threshold or margin of difference between the values of the original texture data elements that are still encoded as a “constant data value” encoded block. Thus, for example, the encoding process and encoder could, and in an embodiment does, treat all texture data elements whose values do not differ by more than a selected, e.g. predetermined, amount in the original texture, as being suitable for encoding as a constant data value block. This would mean that the reproduced constant data value block may not exactly match the original texture, but as the encoding process is an approximation (and lossy) anyway, this may be deemed to be acceptable. It would also, e.g., be possible to configure the encoder to bias the encoding towards constant data value blocks where, for example, the majority of the texture data elements in a given region of the original texture are of the same (or sufficiently similar) colour (data value).

The encoder and the encoding process could, and in an embodiment does, simply consider the values of the texture data elements in the original texture when identifying regions of the original texture to encode as constant data value region indicating encoded texture data blocks. In this case the encoder would look for regions of the original texture whereas all the texture data elements have the same, or sufficiently similar (e.g. within a predetermined margin of difference), values.

However, it would also be possible for the encoding process to consider the sampling arrangement that will be used when sampling the encoded texture to decode it, and to try to identify regions within the texture where the sampling process when decoding the encoded texture will only need to use (touch) texture data elements that have the data value in question. The constant data value region indicated by the encoded texture data block may then not only indicate a region within the texture in which every texture data element should be allocated the same data value when decoded, but also a region within the texture in which every sample look-up within the texture will only use texture data elements having that same data value (and thus the encoded texture data block will indicate that it specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element should be allocated the same data value when decoded, and in which every sample look-up within the texture will only use texture data elements having that same data value.

This may be possible, e.g., where the sampling process or processes to be used when decoding the texture are known, and have a known (and bounded) footprint or footprints within the texture (such that the (maximum) region touched within the texture when taking any given sample can be known).

Any suitable process, e.g., algorithm, for identifying suitable “constant data value” regions within the texture to be encoded can be used.

Thus, in an embodiment, the technology described herein comprises steps of or processing circuitry for identifying in a set of texture data elements or a texture to be encoded a region or regions of the texture, and/or a set or sets of texture data elements, in which every texture data element has the same data value or sufficiently similar data values (and optionally, in which every sample look-up within the texture will only use texture data elements having that same or similar data value), and then generating one or more encoded texture data blocks having the form of the technology described herein to represent the identified region(s) of the texture, and/or set(s) of texture data elements.

Thus, an embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of encoding a texture map for use in a graphics processing system, the method comprising:

identifying in a texture map to be encoded a region or regions of the texture map, and/or a set or sets of texture data elements, in which every texture data element has the same data value, or sufficiently similar data values, or in which every sample look-up within the texture will only use texture data elements having that same data value; and

generating for each such identified region of the texture map and/or set of texture data elements, an encoded texture data block having the form of the technology described herein to indicate the respective identified region or set of texture data elements in which every texture data element has the same data value, and, in an embodiment, in which every sample look-up within the texture will only use texture data elements having that same data value.

Similarly, an embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for encoding a texture map for use in a graphics processing system, the apparatus comprising:

processing circuitry for identifying in a texture map to be encoded a region or regions of the texture map, and/or a set or sets of texture data elements, in which every texture data element has the same data value or sufficiently similar data values, or in which every sample look-up within the texture will only use texture data elements having that same or similar data value; and

processing circuitry for generating for such an identified region of the texture map and/or set of texture data elements, an encoded texture data block having the form of the technology described herein to indicate the respective identified region or set of texture data elements in which every texture data element has the same data value or sufficiently similar data values, in an embodiment and in which every sample look-up within the texture will only use texture data elements having that same data value.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these embodiments of the technology described herein can and in an embodiment do include any one or more or all of the preferred and optional features of the technology described herein described herein, as appropriate.

Thus, for example, the encoded block(s) of texture data representing the constant data value regions of the texture (and/or sets of texture data elements) are in an embodiment configured as discussed above. Thus, the encoding process in an embodiment comprises including information indicating the extent of the constant data value region in question in the encoded texture data block. Similarly, the determination of whether texture data elements have sufficiently similar data values in an embodiment comprises determining whether their data values are within a selected, in an embodiment predetermined, difference margin of each other.

In an embodiment the encoding process of the technology described herein comprises first dividing the original data (e.g. texture map) to be encoded into blocks of texture data elements (with each block (in an embodiment) then being encoded separately, as a separate encoded texture data block, as in known block-encoding schemes). In this case, one or more, and in an embodiment all, of the blocks of texture data elements could then be tested to see whether the set of texture data elements of the block all have the same, constant data value, and/or sufficiently similar data values and, if they do, the block of texture data elements then encoded as an encoded “constant data value region” encoded texture data block having the form of the technology described herein.

In this case, where it is determined that the texture data elements of a block of texture data elements to be encoded all have the same, or sufficient similar data values, then the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, in an embodiment extended, region within the texture including the block in which every texture data element has that same constant data value, or sufficiently similar data values, and, optionally, in which every sample look-up within the texture will only use texture data elements having that same, constant data value, is in an embodiment determined. This is in an embodiment done by attempting to extend a, in an embodiment rectangular (for 2D) or rectangular cuboid (for 3D), region outwards from the edge of the block of texture data elements in question (while still only including texture data elements having the same or a sufficiently similar data (e.g. colour) value). Any suitable process, e.g. algorithm, can be used for this.

Information indicating the extent of the identified “constant data value region” is in an embodiment then included in the encoded texture data block that represents the block of texture data elements in question. (It should be noted here that the constant data value region does not need to align with the boundaries of the blocks the original texture has been divided into for encoding purposes, but can only partially cover or overlap blocks that the original texture has been divided into.)

Thus, in an embodiment the encoding process and encoder of the technology described herein comprises steps of or processing circuitry for, for a block of texture data elements of a texture to encoded, determining whether the set of texture data elements of the block all have the same, constant data value, or sufficiently similar data values, and, if they do, then determining the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, in an embodiment extended, region within the texture including the block in which every texture data element has that same constant data value or a sufficiently similar data value, and, optionally, in which every sample look-up within the texture will only use texture data elements having that same, or a sufficiently similar data value, and then generating an encoded texture data block having the form of the technology described herein to represent the block of texture data elements in question that indicates that the block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element should be allocated the same data value when decoded, and, in an embodiment, in which every sample look-up within the texture will only use texture data elements having that same data value (and in an embodiment including information indicating the extent of the constant data value region that the block is to specify).

Thus, an embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of encoding a block of texture data elements that a texture to be used in a graphics processing system has been divided into for encoding purposes, the method comprising:

determining whether the set of texture data elements of the block all have similar data values, and, if they do then:

determining the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, in an embodiment extended, region within the texture including the block in which every texture data element has similar data values to the set of texture data elements of the block; and

generating an encoded texture data block to represent the block of texture data elements that indicates that the block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for encoding a block of texture data elements that a texture to be used in a graphics processing system has been divided into for encoding purposes, the apparatus comprising:

processing circuitry for determining whether the set of texture data elements of the block all similar data values, and,

processing circuitry for, if they do, then:

-   -   determining the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, in an         embodiment extended, region within the texture including the         block in which every texture data element has similar data         values to the set of texture data elements of the block; and     -   generating an encoded texture data block to represent the block         of texture data elements that indicates that the block specifies         a region within the texture in which every texture data element         is to be allocated the same data value when decoded.

This process is in an embodiment performed for (repeated for) each block of texture data elements that the texture is divided into for encoding purposes. Thus, in an embodiment the encoding process and encoder of the technology described herein comprises steps of or processing circuitry for first dividing the original data (e.g. texture map) to be encoded into blocks of texture data elements, and then for each block, determining whether the set of texture data elements of the block all have similar data values, and then, for each block where it is determined that the set of texture data elements of the block all have similar data values, determining the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, in an embodiment extended, region within the texture including the block in which every texture data element has similar data values to the set of texture data elements of the block, and then generating an encoded texture data block having the form of the technology described herein to represent the block of texture data elements in question that indicates that the block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element should be allocated the same data value when decoded (and in an embodiment including information indicating the extent of the constant data value region).

Thus, an embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of encoding a texture map to be used in a graphics processing system, comprising:

dividing a texture map to be encoded into blocks of texture data elements;

for each block of texture data elements, determining whether the set of texture data elements of the block all have similar data values; and

for each block of texture data elements for which it is determined that the set of texture data elements of the block all have similar data values:

-   -   determining the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, in an         embodiment extended, region within the texture including the         block in which every texture data element has a similar data         value to the set of texture data elements of the block; and     -   generating an encoded texture data block to represent the block         of texture data elements in question that indicates that the         block specifies a region within the texture in which every         texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when         decoded.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for encoding a texture map to be used in a graphics processing system, comprising:

dividing a texture map to be encoded into blocks of texture data elements;

for each block of texture data elements, determining whether the set of texture data elements of the block all have similar data values; and

for each block of texture data elements for which it is determined that the set of texture data elements of the block all have similar data values:

-   -   determining the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, in an         embodiment extended, region within the texture including the         block in which every texture data element has a similar data         value to the set of texture data elements of the block; and     -   generating an encoded texture data block to represent the block         of texture data elements in question that indicates that the         block specifies a region within the texture in which every         texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when         decoded.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, all of the above embodiments of the technology described herein can and in an embodiment do include any one or more or all of the preferred and optional features of the technology described herein described herein, as appropriate.

Thus, for example, the encoded block(s) of texture data representing the constant data value regions of the texture are in an embodiment configured as discussed above.

Thus, the encoding process in an embodiment comprises including information indicating the constant data value for the block in the encoded texture data block that represents the respective block of the texture data elements.

Similarly, the encoding process in an embodiment comprises including data indicating the extent of the “constant data value” region in question in the encoded texture data block that represents the respective block of the texture data elements.

Similarly, the encoding process may comprise identifying blocks as being constant data value blocks but which do not also specify a greater constant data value region (as discussed above), if desired.

The constant data value for an encoded block may be selected as desired, based on the value of the texture data elements in the original texture in the region of the texture in question. Thus where, for example, the texture data elements of the block all have the same data value in the original texture, that data value is in an embodiment used as the data value for the encoded texture data block. On the other hand, where the texture data elements of the block only have similar data values in the original texture, an average of their values or a median or mode value, may, for example, be used as the constant data value for the encoded texture data block.

The determination of whether the texture data elements of the block have similar data values may be carried out as desired. It should basically determine whether the data values are sufficiently similar to encode the set of texture data elements (and then the extended region within the texture) as a constant data value region in the encoded texture (or not). (In essence, whether representing the set of texture data elements and region of the texture as having a constant data value is an acceptable approximation to the original texture or not). In one embodiment, this is done by determining whether all the texture data elements of the block (and then of the region in the texture) have the same, constant data value. In another embodiment, this is done by determining whether all the texture data elements of the block (and then of the region in the texture) have data values that are within a selected, in an embodiment predetermined, (error or difference) margin (threshold) of each other and/or of a selected base data value (such as the average data value of all the texture data elements of the block in question).

It should be noted here that where a given block of texture data elements is found to fall within a “constant” data value region in the texture (and is encoded as such), that does not mean that other, e.g. adjacent, blocks of texture data elements that also fall within the same constant data value region do not need to be encoded. Indeed, in an embodiment blocks of texture data elements that all fall within the same constant data value region are each encoded as respective separate encoded texture data blocks specifying that region. This facilitates random access into the encoded texture (which is desirable for texture mapping), and allows, e.g., for the fact that it may not be known which block a decoder will seek to decode (encounter) first. Thus, it is possible (and indeed may be probable) that one or more encoded texture data blocks representing blocks of texture data elements that the texture map has been divided into will specify the same constant data value region within the texture.

Thus, in an embodiment the method and apparatus of the technology described herein comprise steps of or processing circuitry for generating two or more encoded texture data blocks, each specifying the same region within the texture in which every texture data element should be allocated the same data value when decoded, when encoding a texture map. Similarly, the set of encoded texture data blocks representing a given texture map can and in an embodiment does include two or more encoded texture data blocks, each specifying the same region within the texture in which every texture data element should be allocated the same data value when decoded.

The Applicants have further recognised that not every block of texture data elements that a texture to be encoded is divided into will necessarily comprise texture data elements all having the same, or similar, data values (indeed, this may be more likely than not). These “non-constant” blocks of texture data elements should not be encoded as “constant data value” blocks, but should instead be encoded appropriately to allow a decoder to reproduce the block of texture data elements in question.

Thus, in an embodiment, the technology described herein further comprises steps of or processing circuitry for, for a, and in an embodiment for each, block of texture data elements where it is determined that the set of texture data elements of the block don't all have the same, or similar, data values, generating an encoded texture data block representing the block of texture data elements that will allow a decoder to reproduce the block of texture data elements.

Thus, an embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of encoding a texture map to be used in a graphics processing system, comprising:

dividing a texture map to be encoded into blocks of texture data elements;

for each block of texture data elements, determining whether the set of texture data elements of the block all have similar data values; and

for each block of texture data elements for which it is determined that the set of texture data elements of the block all have similar data values:

-   -   determining the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, region         within the texture including the block in which every texture         data element has a similar data value to the set of texture data         elements of the block; and

generating an encoded texture data block to represent the block of texture data elements in question that indicates that the block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded;

for each block of texture data elements for which it is determined that the set of texture data elements of the block do not all have similar data values:

-   -   generating an encoded texture data block representing the block         of texture data elements containing data to allow a decoder to         generate data values for the texture data elements of the block         of texture data elements.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for encoding a texture map to be used in a graphics processing system, comprising:

processing circuitry for dividing a texture map to be encoded into blocks of texture data elements;

processing circuitry for determining for each block of texture data elements, whether the set of texture data elements of the block all have similar data values; and

processing circuitry for determining for each block of texture data elements for which it is determined that the set of texture data elements of the block all have similar data values:

-   -   the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, region within the         texture including the block in which every texture data element         has a similar data value to the set of texture data elements of         the block; and

for generating an encoded texture data block to represent the block of texture data elements in question that indicates that the block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element should be allocated the same data value when decoded; and

processing circuitry for generating, for each block of texture data elements for which it is determined that the set of texture data elements of the block do not all have similar data values:

-   -   an encoded texture data block representing the block of texture         data elements containing data to allow a decoder to generate         data values for the texture data elements of the block of         texture data elements.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these embodiments of the technology described herein can and in an embodiment do include any one or more or all of the preferred and optional features of the technology described herein described herein, as appropriate.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the encoding process (and encoders) of the technology described herein will, when applied to a texture map to be encoded, produce a set of encoded texture data blocks representing, and corresponding to, the original set of data (e.g. texture map). This set of encoded texture data blocks can then be stored, e.g. on a portable storage device such as a DVD, for later use, e.g. when it is desired to apply the texture to an image to be rendered.

The set of encoded texture data blocks will include, e.g., at least some encoded texture data blocks specifying constant data value regions of the texture, and, most probably, both encoded texture data blocks specifying constant data value regions of the texture, and encoded texture data blocks that do not specify constant data value regions of the texture, but simply represent respective blocks of texture data elements from the original texture.

The technology described herein extends to encoded textures of this form.

Thus, another embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an encoded representation of a texture map to be used in a graphics processing system, comprising:

a set of encoded texture data blocks, each encoded texture data block representing a respective block of texture data elements of the texture map, and containing data to allow data values for the texture data elements of the block to be generated; wherein:

at least one of the encoded texture data blocks specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these embodiments of the technology described herein can and in an embodiment do include any one or more or all of the preferred and optional features of the technology described herein described herein, as appropriate.

Thus, for example, the encoded block(s) of texture data representing the constant data value regions of the texture (and/or sets of texture data elements) are in an embodiment configured as discussed above.

Similarly, the set of encoded texture data blocks in an embodiment includes at least one encoded texture data block that does not specify a region within the texture in which every texture data element should be allocated the same data value when decoded, but which instead represents a block of texture data elements for which the set of texture data elements of the block do not all have the same, constant data value.

Equally, the set of encoded texture data blocks in an embodiment comprises two or more encoded texture data blocks, each specifying the same region within the texture in which every texture data element should be allocated the same data value when decoded.

Each block of texture data elements that the original data (e.g. texture map) is divided into is in an embodiment the same size and configuration, and in an embodiment comprises a selected set or array of the original texture data elements (texture map). For example, the texture is in an embodiment divided into 4×4, 5×5, 6×6, 8×8, 10×10, 12×12, 3×3×3, 4×4×4, 5×5×5 or 6×6×6 blocks (arrays) of texels. The technology described herein may be used for 2D and 3D blocks and textures and regions within a texture. The “constant data value region” will accordingly be in the 2D case an area within the texture, and in the 3D case, a volume within the texture.

In an embodiment the texture map being encoded is divided into blocks of equal size, i.e. each block of the texture map represents the same number (and, e.g., array configuration) of texture data elements. This can, e.g., simplify the task of finding which block a given texture data element lies in. In an embodiment each encoded texture data block has the same size, i.e. a fixed rate encoding scheme is used for the texture map in question. This facilitates the encoding and decoding processes, as is known in the art. Thus, for example, a texture map could be divided into a plurality of 4×4 texel arrays, with each such array being encoded as a separate (and identical size) encoded texture data block.

The actual subdividing of the texture into smaller blocks, and the order of encoding into encoded texture data blocks can be selected as desired. In an embodiment the blocks are encoded in raster order, although other arrangements, such as the use of Morton order, would, of course, be possible.

Where a “non-constant” data value block of texture data elements is to be encoded, that “non-constant” data value texture data element block can be encoded in any suitable and desired manner.

Each “non-constant” data value encoded texture data block should include all the information that is necessary for, and/or expected by, a decoder, to allow the decoder to decode the encoded texture data block to reproduce (at least approximately) the original block of texture data elements that the encoded texture data block represents. The data that should be included in the encoded texture data block to achieve this will depend upon the exact nature of the texture data encoding (compression) scheme in question. This data can be arranged in any suitable and desired manner in the encoded texture data block (i.e. in practice in the manner that a decoder can recognise and correctly interpret).

In one embodiment, each “non-constant” data value encoded block of texture data includes, inter alia, data indicating, or indicating how to generate, a base set of data values (e.g. colour endpoint values) to be used to generate data values for a set of the texture data elements that the block represents.

The base set of data values (e.g. endpoint colours) to be used for a non-constant data value encoded block can be determined as desired, for example, by, as is known in the art, assessing the data values present in the original texture data (i.e. the data which is to be encoded and compressed) for the block and deriving therefrom a set of data values that are representative of and/or can be used to derive, the original data values. Any suitable technique can be used for this, such as, for example, using error comparison techniques to determine a reduced set of values that best matches the original set of data values.

The base set of data values is in an embodiment determined on a block-by-block basis. For example, in the case of colour data, as in conventional block truncation encoding techniques, one or two (or more) base representative colours could be determined for the texture block, which colours would then serve as the base colour palette to be used when generating the set of colours to be used when reproducing the texture block.

In an embodiment, the set of base data values for a block comprises a pair (or respective pairs) of data values. In an embodiment it comprises a pair (or pairs) of endpoint data values, such as a pair of endpoint colour values, from which, e.g., data (e.g. colour) values for texture data elements of the block in an embodiment can be interpolated (and in an embodiment can be derived by determining a weighted sum of the endpoint values for the block). The pairs of base data values could instead comprise, e.g., a base value and a difference value that can then be combined to give values for the texture data elements, if desired.

Where data is included in the encoded texture data block for indicating how to generate a set of base data values (e.g. colours) to be used to generate the data values for a set of the texture data elements that the non-constant data value block represents, then that data could, e.g., indicate a calculation or algorithm that is to be used to generate the base data values. In an embodiment, this data indicates how the set of base data values is to be generated from one or more data values that are included (encoded) explicitly in the encoded texture data block, e.g., by blending or adjusting those values. In an embodiment, the data indicating how to generate the set of base data values to be used indicates which one of a plurality of selected, in an embodiment predetermined, base data value set generation techniques or methods is to be used.

Each non-constant data value encoded texture data block in an embodiment further includes data indicating how to use the respective set(s) of base data values (e.g. endpoint colours) for the block to generate data values for the texture data elements that the block represents.

The data that is included in a non-constant data value encoded texture data block for indicating how to use the set of base data values (e.g. colour endpoint values) to generate the data values for the individual texture data elements of the block can be any suitable such data. In an embodiment, it comprises index data, indicating indexes for the texture data elements in question. These indexes can in an embodiment be used to derive the data values for the texture data elements from the base data values, in an embodiment by interpolating the data value for a given texture data element from the base (e.g. endpoint) data values based on a respective index value. In an embodiment an index is given or can be derived for each texture data element, which index is to be used as or to derive a weight to compute a weighted sum of the base data values (e.g. endpoint values), which weighted sum is then to be used as the data value for the texture data element to which the index relates.

Thus, for example, where two endpoint data values are generated, the index for a given texture data element that the two endpoint data values are to be used for is in an embodiment then used to derive the data value for the texture data element from the two endpoint values, in an embodiment by interpolation between the two endpoint data values based on the index value.

Each non-constant data value encoded texture data block in an embodiment includes, and/or allows to be derived, an index for each individual texture data element that the encoded texture data block represents. In some arrangements, this is done by providing (explicitly) in the encoded texture data block an index value for each and every texture data element that the encoded texture data block represents. In other arrangements, the encoded texture data block only encodes (explicitly includes) a limited number of index values, from which the indexes to be used for the texture data elements that the encoded block represents are to be derived in use (at decode time), in an embodiment by appropriate interpolation from the provided index values.

In an embodiment, information to indicate to the decoder the particular index encoding arrangement that has been used is included in the encoded texture block, in an embodiment by including in the encoded texture data block information indicating a predetermined “index mode” to be used (that has been used) for the block. In an embodiment there are plural predefined index modes, with each index mode being associated with a particular index range, etc.

In an embodiment, the set of texture data elements that is encoded in a given non-constant data value texture data block can be divided into plural “sub-sets” or “partitions” of texture data elements. In an embodiment 2, 3 or 4 partitions can be used.

Where partitioning is used, each texture data element partition for the texture data block in an embodiment has its own base value(s) (e.g. colour endpoint value(s)), and/or set of data indicating how to generate a set of base data values to be used to generate data values for the particular sub-set of the texture data elements that the partition corresponds to (i.e. for the sub-set that the partition corresponds to). This has the advantage that different partitions can use, in effect, different encoding schemes (and in an embodiment, this is done).

Where an encoded texture data block can include plural partitions, then in that case the encoded texture data block in an embodiment further includes information to indicate which partitioning pattern has been used for the block. This information can take any suitable and desired form, such as an index, that indicates to the decoder which one of a set of stored predefined partitioning patterns has been used.

In one embodiment, the partitioning patterns are generated using a partitioning pattern generation function, and the encoded texture data blocks in an embodiment then include information to be used by the decoder to configure the partitioning pattern generation function so as to allow the decoder to generate the particular partitioning pattern that has been used. This information in an embodiment comprises a partitioning pattern generation function index or seed, and the number of partitions, that were used as inputs to the partitioning pattern generation function at the encoding stage for generating the partitioning pattern that was used. (The decoder in an embodiment then uses this information, together with the position of the texture data element to be decoded (i.e. whose value is to be determined), as inputs to the partitioning pattern generation function, to determine which partition of the encoded texture data block, the texture data element in question belongs to. Once this has been done, the decoder can then, e.g., and in an embodiment, determine the base data values (e.g. endpoint colours) to be used for the partition that the texture data element has been determined to belong to, and then use those data values to determine the data value (e.g. colour value) to be used for the texture data element itself.)

It will be appreciated from the above that in an embodiment a non-constant data value encoded texture data block will include at least data indicating or allowing to be derived a base data (e.g. colour) value or values (such as colour endpoint values) for the encoded texture data block, and information to allow the decoder to determine (at least an approximation to) the value of a given texture data element from the base data value or values (e.g. endpoint colours) for the texture data block, potentially also with some information to allow the decoder to identify a partitioning pattern that has been used for the encoded texture data block.

In an embodiment of the technology described herein, each non-constant data value encoded texture data block includes data indicating how to generate a set of data values to be used to generate data values for a set of the texture data elements that the block represents (which data is in an embodiment in the form of an index or other indication which indicates which of a plurality of predefined data value set generation techniques or methods is to be used); a set of integer values to be used to generate the set of data values to be used to generate data values for a set of the texture data elements that the block represents; a set of index values indicating how to use the generated set of values to generate data values for texture elements of the set of texture data elements that the generated set of data values is to be used for (which index values are in an embodiment used to interpolate the data value for a given texture data element from the generated data values); information to allow the indexing scheme for the block to be determined (which information is in an embodiment in the form of an index or flag indicating a predetermined “index mode” to be used for the block); and information to allow the partition that a particular texture data element belongs to, to be determined (which partition information is in an embodiment in the form of an indication of the number of partitions that the block has been divided into, and a partition index or seed value to be used as an input to a partitioning pattern generating function to be used when decoding the block to determine which partition of the block a given texture data element that the block represents belongs to).

The information can be included in the “non-constant data value” encoded texture data block in any desired order and arrangement, but in an embodiment a particular (and in an embodiment common) format and organisation is used for each encoded “non-constant data value” texture data block.

In an embodiment this format comprises including the index mode and data indicating how to generate a set of data values to be used to generate data values for a set of texture data elements that the block represents in a particular portion (e.g. at the beginning) of the block, together with the partition count and partition index or seed.

The remaining space of the block is in an embodiment then used to hold the index data, the integer value data for use to generate the set of data values to be used to generate data values for the set of texture data elements that the block represents, and any needed further data indicating how to generate a set of data values to be used to generate data values for a set of the texture data elements that the block represents where there is insufficient space in the portion of the block predefined for that data.

In an embodiment, the index data is stored in the remaining space by adding the index data from the top down, and the integer values and any further data indicating how to generate a set of data values to be used is stored in the remaining space from the bottom up (or vice-versa).

The encoding process for a “non-constant data value” block can be carried out in any suitable manner on or using the original texture data that is to be encoded. For example, as in known prior art processes, the original data for the block could be encoded using some or all of the various different encoding and partitioning possibilities that are available (i.e. that, in effect, a “non-constant data value” encoded texture data block can represent). This will provide a set of possible encoded blocks that can then be compared with the original data, so as to determine, e.g., which encoded version of the block gives the least error (on reproduction) when compared to the original data (which encoding arrangement can then be selected as the one to use for that original texture data block when it is encoded).

The technology described herein can be used to encode any suitable form of texture data. As discussed above, such data, in its original, raw or unencoded form, is typically arranged in the form of arrays of texture elements or texels, and thus in an embodiment, the technology described herein is used to encode an array of texture data elements (texels). Such arrays are typically, as is known in the art, 2-dimensional, although it is also possible to use the technology described herein to encode a 3-dimensional array (and, indeed, it is an advantage of the technology described herein that it can be used to encode 3-dimensional textures in an efficient manner).

The texture to be encoded and the texture data elements can represent any suitable texture data. In one embodiment the texture is a texture that is to be used for graphics processing, e.g., and in an embodiment, when rendering an image and/or frame for display, such as for example an image to be applied to primitives to be rendered, colours (including grayscale), luminances, bump-maps, shadow-maps (light-maps), etc., as is known in the art.

However, the technology described herein can also be used to process and encode (and decode) textures to be used to process, and that represent, other forms of data, e.g. where it is desired to use a graphics texture (and graphics texture processing) to represent and process other forms of data. As is known in the art, textures can be and are used in graphics processing to represent and process many different kinds of data, such as, 3D fog, flow fields, etc. as well as for “traditional” graphics purposes. The technology described herein can equally be applied to, and extends to, these kinds and uses of textures in, and for, graphics processing systems. Thus the texture of the technology described herein may represent other forms of data that are to be processed as a texture in a graphics processing system, if desired.

In an embodiment, the texture data elements each represent a colour value for a texture element, but this is not essential. In an embodiment the texture data elements represent: low dynamic range (LDR) texture data with 1, 2, 3 or 4 components per texel (luminance, luminance-alpha, RGB and RGB-alpha, respectively) or high dynamic range (HDR) texture data with 1, 3 or 4 components per texel.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the actual data values accorded to the texture elements, both in their original, unencoded raw form, and in their encoded form (or at least when the encoded data has been decoded to reproduce a representation of the original data) will depend on the form of “texture” that the texture elements are intended to define or represent.

Thus, for example, where the texture elements define colours to be used, the texture data elements in their original, unencoded form may each comprise a set of colour values (Red, Green, Blue (RGB), a set of colour and transparency values (Red, Green, Blue, Alpha (RGBa)), or a set of luminance and chrominance values, and the encoded data, when decoded (reproduced), will generate a corresponding set of colour values.

In the case of shadow (light)-maps, for example, the texture data elements, will each comprise or represent a set of data values indicating, e.g., whether the texture element is in light or in shadow, and the amount (and/or colour) of the light or shadow for that texture element. Similarly, for a normal-map (bump-map), the data for each texture element will be a set of values indicating the direction in which light will be reflected at that texture element.

The texture data elements could also, e.g., represent z values (depth values), stencil values, luminance values (luminance textures), luminance-alpha-textures, and/or gloss-maps (i.e. whether a surface is shiny at the texture element position or not), etc.

It would be possible, where appropriate for each texture data block to only encode data necessary to generate some, but not all, of the data values necessary to reproduce the original data, with the remaining data values being derived (e.g. therefrom) as part of the data reproduction process. Thus, in one embodiment, the encoded texture data block encodes data representative of some of the original texture data, with data representative of other parts of the original data being derived from the encoded data during the decoding process.

For example, in the case of normal-maps, it would be possible for the encoded texture data to, e.g., only encode two of the normal direction components (e.g. dx and dy), with the third component (dz) being derived from these two values when the data is decoded (since it is known that the sum of the squares of the components must be 1 (as they define a normal vector of length 1): 1=dx²+dy²+dz²).

It should be noted here that references herein to “colours” or “luminances”, etc., accordingly refer to, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a set of data values that allow the colour or luminance, etc., in question to be reproduced, e.g., on a display. These data values may comprise any suitable set of colour or luminance, etc., data, such as a set of RGBa values as discussed above. Equally, references to generating a set of data values for an encoded texture data block, and to data values for individual texture elements, encompass data values that each comprise or include a combination of values, such as a set of colour values (RGB or RGBa), as appropriate.

The above encoding process of the technology described herein (i.e. to produce a set of encoded data blocks of the form discussed above) can be carried out in any suitable manner on or using the original texture data that is to be encoded. For example, as in known prior art processes, the original data (e.g. texture map) could first be divided into blocks, and then each block tested, in an embodiment in turn, to see if it can be encoded as a “constant data value” block or not, and if it can, a constant data value region block generated as discussed above, or if it cannot, a non-constant data value region encoded texture data block generated as discussed above.

This will be done for each different block that the original data (e.g. texture map) has been divided into, to produce a stream or set of encoded texture data blocks representing, and corresponding to, the original set of data (e.g. texture map). This set of encoded texture data blocks can then be stored, e.g. on a portable storage device such as a DVD, for later use when it is desired to apply the texture to an image to be rendered. In an embodiment a texture is encoded as a set of mipmaps, with each mipmap being generated in the manner of the technology described herein.

As discussed above, each block that the original data (e.g. texture map) is divided into is in an embodiment the same size and configuration. The block size that is being used is in an embodiment provided to the decoder. The block size is in an embodiment not included in the encoded texture data blocks themselves, but is in an embodiment provided to the decoder separately. For example, the block size could be implicitly indicated by another parameter that is provided to the decoder, such as the image type, or the block size could be included in (and indicated in) a (global) data header that is associated with (attached to) the set of encoded texture data blocks.

Although the technology described herein has been described above with particular reference to the encoding of the texture data, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the technology described herein also extends to the reverse, decoding, process, i.e. in which the encoded texture data blocks are used to produce one or more or an array of texture data elements for use in graphics processing.

The decoding process in an embodiment first comprises determining which encoded texture data block in the set of encoded texture data blocks representing the texture map to be used represents (contains) the texture data element whose value is required (i.e. that is to be decoded). This may be done, e.g., and in an embodiment, based on the position of the texture data element (and, e.g., knowledge of the block size and size of the texture). The identified encoded texture data block can then be used to determine the value to be used for the texture data element in question.

When the decoder is to determine the value of a texture data element that falls within (is represented by) a “constant data value region” indicating texture data block, then the decoder accordingly in an embodiment determines the constant data value from the encoded texture data block and uses that value as the data value for the texture data element in question.

In the case of a “non-constant data value” encoded texture data block, the decoding process should be essentially the reverse of the encoding process, and thus comprise, e.g., determining from the encoded texture data block how to generate the set of base data values (e.g. endpoint colours) to be used for block, generating that set of base data values, and then generating the data value (e.g. colour) for the texture data element in question using the set of base data values and an index value for the texture data element.

The so-generated, decoded texel values can then be applied, as is known in the art, to sampling positions and/or fragments that are being rendered to generate rendered data for those sampling positions and/or fragments, which rendered data is then, e.g. written to a frame buffer for a display to display the “textured” sampling positions and/or fragments.

Thus, the technology described herein also extends to a decoder and a decoding apparatus configured to decode a texture that has been encoded in the manner of the technology described herein.

Thus, an embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of decoding a set of encoded texture data blocks representing a texture to be used in a graphics processing system to produce one or more decoded texture data element values, the method comprising:

determining which encoded texture data block in a set of encoded texture data blocks representing a texture to be used represents a texture data element whose value is required;

determining whether the identified encoded texture data block to be used to determine the value to be used for the texture data element specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded; and

if it does, determining the value to use for the texture data element from a constant data value that is indicated in the encoded texture data block; and

if it does not:

determining the value to use for the texture data element from data that is included in the encoded texture data block.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for decoding a set of encoded texture data blocks representing a texture to be used in a graphics processing system to produce one or more decoded texture data element values, the apparatus comprising:

processing circuitry for determining which encoded texture data block in a set of encoded texture data blocks representing a texture to be used represents a texture data element whose value is required;

processing circuitry for determining whether the identified encoded texture data block to be used to determine the value to be used for the texture data element specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded; and

processing circuitry for:

if it does, determining the value to use for the texture data element from a constant data value that is indicated in the encoded texture data block; and

if it does not:

determining the value to use for the texture data element from data that is included in the encoded texture data block.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these embodiments of the technology described herein can, and in an embodiment do, include any one or more or all of the preferred and optional features of the technology described herein described herein, as appropriate.

Thus, for example, the encoded texture block that represents a texture data element whose value is required is in an embodiment determined based on the position of the texture data element (and, e.g., knowledge of the block size and size of the texture).

Similarly, the value to use for a texture data element from a “non-constant data value” encoded texture data block is in an embodiment determined by determining from the encoded texture data block how to generate a set of base data values (e.g. endpoint colours) to be used for block, generating that set of base data values, and then generating the data value (e.g. colour) for the texture data element in question using the set of base data values and an index value for the texture data element.

The so-generated, decoded texel values are in an embodiment applied to, or used for, as is known in the art, sampling positions and/or fragments that are being rendered to generate rendered data for those sampling positions and/or fragments, which rendered data is then in an embodiment written to a frame buffer for a display to display the “textured” sampling positions and/or fragments.

As discussed above, the decoding process and decoder in an embodiment further comprise steps of or processing circuitry for recognising or identifying a constant data value region indicating encoded texture data block and then configuring and/or modifying the decoding process, where possible, in view of that, for example by avoiding subsequent passes in a multi-pass texture mapping process and/or avoiding sampling more detailed mipmaps, etc.

Thus, an embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of decoding an encoded texture data block representing a set of texture data elements to be used in a graphics processing system, the method comprising:

recognising that the encoded texture data block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded; and

in response to the recognition of such constant data value block, configuring and/or modifying the decoding operation in accordance with that recognition.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for decoding an encoded texture data block representing a set of texture data elements to be used in a graphics processing system, the apparatus comprising:

processing circuitry for determining whether an encoded texture data block representing a set of texture data elements to be used in a graphics processing system comprises an encoded block that specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded; and

processing circuitry for, in response to the recognition of an encoded texture data block that specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, then configuring and/or modifying the decoding operation in accordance with that recognition.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of performing texture mapping in a graphics processing system, comprising:

the texture mapping process accessing (and in an embodiment loading) an encoded texture data block representing a set of texture data elements to be used for graphics processing;

the texture mapping process recognising that the encoded texture data block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the texture will only use texture data elements having that same data value; and

the texture mapping process, in response to the recognition of such constant data value block, configuring and/or modifying its operation in accordance with that recognition.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for performing texture mapping in a graphics processing system, comprising:

processing circuitry for recognising that an encoded texture data block representing a set of texture data elements to be used for graphics processing comprises an encoded block that specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the texture will only use texture data elements having that same data value; and

processing circuitry for, in response to the recognition of an encoded texture data block that specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the texture will only use texture data elements having that same data value, configuring and/or modifying the texture mapping operation in accordance with that recognition.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these embodiments of the technology described herein can, and in an embodiment do, include any one or more or all of the preferred and optional features of the technology described herein described herein, as appropriate. Thus, for example, the decoder and decoding process can, and indeed in an embodiment does, also include the various preferred and optional features of the technology described herein discussed herein, as appropriate.

The configuring and/or modifying of the decoding and/or texture mapping process in response to recognition of a “constant data value region indicating” encoded texture data block in an embodiment comprises one or more of the decoder and decoding process (e.g. the texture mapping process): not performing (avoiding) subsequent passes in a multi-pass texture mapping process once such a block has been identified; not sampling (avoiding sampling) lower mipmaps in a multi-pass mip-mapping process once such a constant data value region indicating block has been identified; caching recently loaded/processed constant data value region indicating blocks and using them to suppress (texture) cache filling from memory for subsequent decoding (texturing) operations; and/or not loading (avoiding loading) adjacent encoded texture data blocks, where a constant data value region indicating block has been recognised and indicates that adjacent blocks will also contain (and return when decoded) the same constant data value.

The decoding process in an embodiment comprises (and the decoder is in an embodiment configured to), where the encoded texture data block to be decoded is a block that specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, determining from the encoded texture data block the extent of the constant data value region specified by the block, and storing that information for future use and/or reference by the decoder/decoding process.

In an embodiment this is done for the latest or latest few (e.g. the most recent selected, e.g. predetermined, number of) constant data value region indicating encoded texture data blocks that the decoder has accessed. In an embodiment the (respective) constant data value is also stored in combination with (associated with) the corresponding region information.

This stored constant data value region information is in an embodiment then used to try to avoid accessing and decoding other encoded texture data blocks.

Thus, in an embodiment, the decoding process comprises determining, and the decoder is configured to determine, if the position of a texture data element to be decoded is within a previously encountered and stored constant data value region, and if it is, to then use the stored corresponding constant data value for the texture data element immediately (i.e. without accessing and decoding another encoded texture data block).

On the other hand, if the position of a texture data element to be decoded is not within a previously encountered and stored constant data value region, then it is in an embodiment determined which encoded block represents the texture data element, that block is then accessed (e.g. loaded) and decoded, and if that block is a constant data value region indicating block, the constant data value used for the texture data element, and the extent of the constant data value region indicated by the block, and its constant data value, then stored for future use, and if the encoded block is not a constant data value region indicating block, the block decoded in the normal manner for such a block.

Thus, an embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of determining a texture data element value for use in a graphics processing system in which sets of encoded texture data blocks are used to represent textures to be used in the graphics processing system, and in which at least some encoded texture data blocks can specify a region within a texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, and in which the graphics processing system can store data relating to previously encountered same data value regions in a texture being decoded, the method comprising:

when the value of a texture data element is to be determined, determining if the position of the texture data element whose value is to be determined is within a previously encountered and stored same data value region of the texture, and:

if it is, then using a stored constant data value for that same data value region as the value for the texture data element; and

if the position of the texture data element whose value is required is not within a previously encountered and stored same data value region of the texture:

determining which encoded texture data block in a set of encoded texture data blocks representing the texture to be used represents the texture data element whose value is required;

determining whether the identified encoded texture data block that represents the texture data element whose value is required specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded; and:

if it does, determining the value to use for the texture data element from a constant data value that is indicated in the encoded texture data block; and

if it does not:

determining the value to use for the texture data element using data that is included in the encoded texture data block.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for determining a texture data element value for use in a graphics processing system in which sets of encoded texture data blocks are used to represent textures to be used in the graphics processing system, and in which at least some encoded texture data blocks can specify a region within a texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, the apparatus comprising:

processing circuitry for storing data relating to previously encountered same data value regions in a texture being decoded;

processing circuitry for determining if the position of the texture data element whose value is to be determined is within a previously encountered and stored same data value region of the texture, and for, if it is, then using a stored constant data value for that same data value region as the value for the texture data element; and

processing circuitry for, if the position of the texture data element whose value is required is not within a previously encountered and stored same data value region of the texture, determining which encoded texture data block in a set of encoded texture data blocks representing the texture represents the texture data element whose value is required;

processing circuitry for determining whether the identified encoded texture data block that represents the texture data element whose value is required specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded; and

processing circuitry for:

if it does, determining the value to use for the texture data element from a constant data value that is indicated in the encoded texture data block; and

if it does not, determining the value to use for the texture data element using data that is included in the encoded texture data block.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these embodiments of the technology described herein can, and in an embodiment do, include any one or more or all of the preferred and optional features of the technology described herein described herein, as appropriate. Thus, for example, the decoder and decoding process can, and indeed in an embodiment does, also include the various preferred and optional features of the technology described herein discussed herein, as appropriate.

Thus, for example, the decoding process in an embodiment comprises (and the decoding apparatus is in an embodiment configured to), where the encoded texture data block to be decoded is a block that specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, determining from the encoded texture data block the extent of the constant data value region specified by the block, and storing that region extent information and the constant data value that is indicated in the encoded texture data block for future use and reference by the decoder/decoding process.

In an embodiment this is done for the latest or latest few (e.g. the most recent selected, e.g. predetermined, number of) constant data value region indicating encoded texture data blocks that the decoder has accessed.

Similarly, if the encoded block is not a constant data value region indicating block, the block is in an embodiment decoded in the normal manner for the block.

The decoding process in an embodiment comprises (and the decoder is in an embodiment configured to), where the encoded texture data block to be decoded is indicated (flagged) as being a block that specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data when decoded, determining from information indicating the extent of the constant data value region included in the encoded texture data block whether the encoded texture data block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value, or is in fact only a “constant data value block” which does not also specify an extended region within the encoded texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded. In the latter case, it is in an embodiment also determined whether the constant data value applies to more detailed mipmaps or not.

This is in an embodiment done by determining whether the information indicating the region that the block relates to included in the encoded block has a predefined (predetermined) value (that has been set aside for this purpose) or not (as discussed above). For example, if the constant data value region coordinates are all 1s, then it is interpreted as if the block has no (extended) constant data value region at all and is simply a constant-color (constant data value) block with the constant data value also applying to more detailed mipmaps (if any), or if the constant data value region coordinates are all 0s, then it is interpreted as if the block has no (extended) constant data value region at all and is simply a constant-color (constant data value) block with the constant data value not applying also to more detailed mipmaps (if any).

In an embodiment, the decoding process (decoder, e.g. texture mapper) uses a multipass process (e.g. for trilinear filtering or anisotropic mapping), and if it is recognised that the region of the texture being sampled is a region within the texture in which every texture data element should be allocated the same data value when decoded and that every sample look-up within the texture for the value to be decoded will only use texture data elements having that same data value, the decoding process (decoder) returns the constant data value as the final decoding (texturing) result immediately after the first pass, without running any further passes. This is possible because the constant data value region indicating block(s) inform the decoder that all the texture data elements it will sample for each pass will all have the same value.

In an embodiment, the decoding process and decoder can be configured to simply (and always) treat constant data value region indicating encoded texture data blocks as constant data value blocks and ignore any greater constant data value region indicated by the block. This may be appropriate where the decoder does not implement any optimisations based on the extended “constant data value” region.

In an embodiment the decoding process and decoder (e.g. texture mapper) keeps and is configured to keep a cache of recently-seen constant data value region indicating blocks (or at least the information in those blocks) and to use such cached blocks (information) to suppress subsequent (texture) cache line fills from memory for subsequent decoding (texturing) operations. In an embodiment, at least the position and/or extent of the constant data value region, and the constant data value for the region, is cached.

In this case, it is in an embodiment for the decoding process and decoder to be configured so as to guarantee that the presence of the cached information does not produce decoding (texture filtering) results that are different from the result that would have been produced without the information being cached. To facilitate this, the constant data value region indicating block information caching may be restricted to cache only data relating to constant data value region indicating blocks having selected, e.g. specific, constant data values (e.g. blocks for which all data components are 0 or 1), e.g. depending on the specifics of the filtering unit.

In an embodiment, the decoding process and the decoder is configured to, when implementing mipmapping using a multipass method, sample a less detailed (and in an embodiment the least detailed) required mipmap (mipmap level) first, and if when doing so it samples a constant data value region (e.g. a constant data value region indicating block), to then immediately use the indicated constant data value as the sampled data value to use, and to not sample (to abstain from sampling) any more detailed mipmap that would otherwise normally be sampled as part of the multipass mipmapping process (i.e. the decoder will skip sampling any lower level (more detailed) mipmaps where sampling a higher level (less detailed) mipmap samples a constant data value region (returns a constant data value region indicating block when sampled). This can enhance the efficiency of the mipmapping process.

Thus, in an embodiment the decoder and the decoding process is configured to assume that if a constant data value region indicating encoded texture data block appears in a mipmap, then the constant data value region applies to (and appears equivalently in) all lower (more detailed) mipmap levels (all mipmap levels below (more detailed than) the level containing the constant data value region indicating encoded texture data block) as well (and to operate accordingly).

In an embodiment, the decoder and the decoding process are configured to, if the constant data value region indicated by a constant data value region indicating block extends to the edge of the texture that has been encoded, still use other data in combination with the indicated constant data value when generating the decoded data value for a texture data element or sample that lies at or near the edge of the texture where that is necessary or appropriate. Thus, in an embodiment, the decoder and decoding process determine if a texture value being sampled lies in a position that will require sampling values beyond the edge of the encoded texture, and if it does, and the value being sampled lies in a constant data value region, do not simply return the constant data value, but instead use the indicated constant data value together with other data to generate the sampled data value to be used (in an embodiment in the normal decoding (texture filtering) process).

This allows for the fact that even if a constant data value region extends all the way to the edge of a texture, the filtered texturing result may not necessarily be equal to the data value specified in the constant data value region indicating block because data sources other than the texture surface itself may contribute to the final filtered result. Such data sources may be, e.g., (and the additional data that is used accordingly in an embodiment comprises) one or more of: a texture border color that is different from the color specified in the constant data value region indicating block, an adjacent-face texture value (e.g. in the case of Seamless Cube-Mapping), and a neighboring texture repeat value (e.g. in the case of a “Repeat” texture wrap mode).

When it is necessary for the decoder to determine if a texture value to be sampled will use only constant data value texture data elements or not, then that could, e.g., be determined based on the sampling arrangement to be used (and the known extent of the constant data value region). Depending on the sampling technique(s) to be used, it may be known that any sampling position within a constant data value region will always return that data value when sampled, or it may be necessary to do some form of text first, e.g. for certain sampling arrangements, such as anisotropic sampling, e.g. at or near the edge of the constant data value region. Alternatively, where the encoding process takes account of the sampling technique that will be used, and so encodes blocks indicating regions within the texture in which every sample look-up will use (touch) texture data elements having the constant data value, then the decoder can assume if the sampling position is within the indicated constant data value region, the sampled value will be the constant data value without having to otherwise evaluate or test whether that will be the case.

The decoding process may be repeated for each texture data element of the block whose value is required (and for texture data elements in other encoded blocks).

In an embodiment, the decoder (decoding apparatus) is implemented in the device that is to use the encoded textures, such as a graphics processor. The decoder is in an embodiment implemented as a dedicated hardware element that is configured to carry out the decoding process.

Although the technology described herein has been described above with particular reference to the encoding (and decoding) of texture data in a graphics processing system, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it would equally be applicable to the encoding and decoding of data for use in other forms of data processing system, and in particular to data that is in the form of (or can be expressed in the form of) arrays or blocks of (similar) data elements (e.g. data elements whose values follow a common or similar format and/or that will be or can be used for a similar or the same purpose or that represent similar information). It is in particular applicable to the encoding of such data where random access to the data is desired.

Such “non-graphics” data use could comprise, for example, vector-fields used for simulations, data representing flow-directions for fluids or bounce directions for impacts, etc. (which data would, for example, be analogous to the normal-maps (bump-maps) discussed above in relation to graphics data), heat-maps, or sound data, etc.

In such arrangements, the data can be encoded and decoded in an analogous manner to the texture data as described herein.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of encoding data elements, comprising:

encoding a block of data representing some or all of the data elements; and

including in the data block:

data indicating that the block has a constant data value that is common to all the data elements that the block relates to.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for encoding data elements, comprising:

processing circuitry for encoding a block of data representing some or all of the data elements; and

processing circuitry for including in the data block:

data indicating that the block has a constant data value that is common to all the data elements that the block relates to.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a block of data representing data elements, comprising:

data indicating that the block has a constant data value that is common to all the data elements that the block relates to.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of encoding data elements of an array of data elements, comprising:

generating one or more encoded blocks of data representing the data elements of the array of data elements; and

including in at least one of the encoded data blocks:

data indicating that the block specifies a region within the array of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array will only use data elements having that same data value.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for encoding data elements of an array of data elements, the apparatus comprising:

processing circuitry for generating one or more encoded blocks of data representing the data elements of the array of data elements; and

processing circuitry for including in an encoded data block data indicating that the block specifies a region within the array in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array will only use data elements having that same data value.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a block of data representing data elements of an array of data elements, comprising:

data indicating that the block specifies a region within the array of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array will only use data elements having that same data value.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of encoding an array of data elements, the method comprising:

identifying in an array of data elements to be encoded a region or regions of the array of data elements, and/or a set or sets of data elements, in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value; and

generating for each identified region of the array of data elements and/or set of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value, an encoded data block having the form of the technology described herein to indicate the respective identified region or set of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for encoding an array of data elements, the apparatus comprising:

processing circuitry for identifying in an array of data elements to be encoded a region or regions of the array of data elements, and/or a set or sets of data elements, in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value; and

processing circuitry for generating for an identified region of the array of data elements and/or set of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value, an encoded data block having the form of the technology described herein to indicate the respective identified region or set of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of encoding a block of data elements that an array of data elements has been divided into for encoding purposes, the method comprising:

determining whether the set of data elements of the block all have the same, constant data value, and, if they do then:

determining the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, region within the array of data elements including the block in which every data element has that same constant data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same, constant data value; and

generating an encoded data block to represent the block of data elements that indicates that the block specifies a region within the array of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for encoding a block of data elements that an array of data elements has been divided into for encoding purposes, the apparatus comprising:

processing circuitry for determining whether the set of data elements of the block all have the same, constant data value, and,

processing circuitry for, if they do, then:

-   -   determining the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, region         within the array of data elements including the block in which         every data element has that same constant data value and in         which every sample look-up within the array of data elements         will only use data elements having that same, constant data         value; and     -   generating an encoded data block to represent the block of data         elements that indicates that the block specifies a region within         the array of data elements in which every data element has the         same data value and in which every sample look-up within the         array of data elements will only use data elements having that         same data value.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of encoding an array of data elements, comprising:

dividing an array of data elements be encoded into blocks of data elements;

for each block of data elements, determining whether the set of data elements of the block all have the same, constant data value; and

for each block of data elements for which it is determined that the set of data elements of the block all have the same, constant data value:

-   -   determining the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, region         within the array of data elements including the block in which         every data element has that same constant data value and in         which every sample look-up within the array of data elements         will only use data elements having that same, constant data         value; and     -   generating an encoded data block to represent the block of data         elements in question that indicates that the block specifies a         region within the array of data elements in which every data         element has the same data value and in which every sample         look-up within the array of data elements will only use data         elements having that same data value.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for encoding an array of data elements, comprising:

processing circuitry for dividing an array of data elements to be encoded into blocks of data elements;

processing circuitry for, for each block of data elements, determining whether the set of data elements of the block all have the same, constant data value; and

processing circuitry for, for each block of data elements for which it is determined that the set of data elements of the block all have the same, constant data value:

-   -   determining the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, region         within the array of data elements including the block in which         every data element has that same constant data value and in         which every sample look-up within the array of data elements         will only use data elements having that same, constant data         value; and     -   generating an encoded data block to represent the block of data         elements in question that indicates that the block specifies a         region within the array of data elements in which every data         element has the same data value and in which every sample         look-up within the array of data elements will only use data         elements having that same data value.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of encoding an array of data elements, comprising:

dividing an array of data elements to be encoded into blocks of data elements;

for each block of data elements, determining whether the set of data elements of the block all have the same, constant data value; and

for each block of data elements for which it is determined that the set of data elements of the block all have the same, constant data value:

-   -   determining the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, region         within the array of data elements including the block in which         every data element has that same constant data value and in         which every sample look-up within the array of data elements         will only use data elements having that same, constant data         value; and     -   generating an encoded data block to represent the block of data         elements in question that indicates that the block specifies a         region within the array of data elements in which every data         element has the same data value and in which every sample         look-up within the array of data elements will only use data         elements having that same data value;

for each block of data elements for which it is determined that the set of data elements of the block do not all have the same, constant data value:

-   -   generating an encoded data block representing the block of data         elements containing data to allow a decoder to generate data         values for the data elements of the block of data elements.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for encoding an array of data elements, comprising:

processing circuitry for dividing an array of data elements to be encoded into blocks of data elements;

processing circuitry for, for each block of data elements, determining whether the set of data elements of the block all have the same, constant data value; and

processing circuitry for, for each block of data elements for which it is determined that the set of data elements of the block all have the same, constant data value:

-   -   determining the extent of a, in an embodiment contiguous, region         within the array of data elements including the block in which         every data element has that same constant data value and in         which every sample look-up within the array of data elements         will only use data elements having that same, constant data         value; and     -   generating an encoded data block to represent the block of data         elements in question that indicates that the block specifies a         region within the array of data elements in which every data         element has the same data value and in which every sample         look-up within the array of data elements will only use data         elements having that same data value; and

processing circuitry for, for each block of data elements for which it is determined that the set of data elements of the block do not all have the same, constant data value:

-   -   generating an encoded data block representing the block of data         elements containing data to allow a decoder to generate data         values for the data elements of the block of data elements.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an encoded representation of an array of data elements, comprising:

a set of encoded data blocks, each encoded data block representing a respective block of data elements of the array of data elements, and containing data to allow data values for the data elements of the block to be generated; wherein:

at least one of the encoded data blocks specifies a region within the array of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of decoding a data block that encodes a set of data elements, comprising:

determining from the data block that the block has a constant data value that is common to all the data elements that the block relates to.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for decoding a data block that encodes a set of data elements, comprising:

processing circuitry for determining from the data block that the block has a constant data value that is common to all the data elements that the block relates to.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of decoding a set of encoded data blocks representing an array of data elements to produce one or more data element values, the method comprising:

determining which encoded data block in a set of encoded data blocks representing an array of data elements represents a data element whose value is required;

determining whether the identified encoded data block to be used to determine the value to be used for the data element specifies a region within the array of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value; and

if it does, determining the value to use for the data element from a constant data value that is indicated in the encoded data block; and

if it does not:

determining the value to use for the data element using data that is included in the encoded data block.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for decoding a set of encoded data blocks representing an array of data elements to produce one or more data element values, the apparatus comprising:

processing circuitry for determining which encoded data block in a set of encoded data blocks representing an array of data elements represents a data element whose value is required;

processing circuitry for determining whether the identified encoded data block to be used to determine the value to be used for the data element specifies a region within the array of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value; and

processing circuitry for:

if it does, determining the value to use for the data element from a constant data value that is indicated in the encoded data block; and

if it does not:

determining the value to use for the data element using data that is included in the encoded data block.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of decoding an encoded data block representing a set of data elements, the method comprising:

recognising that the encoded data block specifies a region within an array of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value; and

in response to the recognition of such constant data value block, configuring and/or modifying the decoding operation in accordance with that recognition.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for decoding an encoded data block representing a set of data elements, the apparatus comprising:

processing circuitry for determining whether an encoded data block representing a set of data elements comprises an encoded block that specifies a region within an array of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value; and

processing circuitry for, in response to the recognition of an encoded data block that specifies a region within an array of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value, then configuring and/or modifying the decoding operation in accordance with that recognition.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of performing decoding in a data processing system, comprising:

the decoding process loading an encoded data block representing a set of data elements;

the decoding process recognising that the encoded data block specifies a region within an array of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value; and

the decoding process, in response to the recognition of such constant data value block, configuring and/or modifying its operation in accordance with that recognition.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for performing decoding in a data processing system, comprising:

processing circuitry for recognising that an encoded data block representing a set of data elements comprises an encoded block that specifies a region within an array of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value; and

processing circuitry for, in response to the recognition of an encoded data block that specifies a region within an array of data elements in which every data element has the same data value and in which every sample look-up within the array of data elements will only use data elements having that same data value, configuring and/or modifying the decoding operation in accordance with that recognition.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises a method of performing data decoding, comprising:

receiving an encoded data block representing a set of data elements;

recognising that the encoded data block comprises a block indicating a constant data value that is common to all the data elements that the block relates to; and,

in response to the recognition of such constant data value block, configuring the decoding operation in accordance with that recognition.

An embodiment of the technology described herein comprises an apparatus for performing data decoding, comprising:

processing circuitry for recognising that an encoded data block representing a set of data elements comprises a block indicating a constant data value that is common to all the data elements that the block relates to; and

processing circuitry for, in response to the recognition of such a constant data value block, configuring the decoding operation in accordance with that recognition.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, all of these embodiments of the technology described herein can, and in an embodiment do, include any one or more or all of the preferred and optional features of the technology described herein described herein, as appropriate.

The methods and apparatus of the technology described herein can be implemented in any appropriate manner, e.g. in hardware or software, and in (and be included in) any appropriate device or component. In an embodiment they are implemented in a graphics processor, and thus the technology described herein also extends to a graphics processor configured to use the methods of the technology described herein, or that includes the apparatus of the technology described herein. In an embodiment, the methods and apparatus of the technology described herein are implemented in hardware, in an embodiment on a single semi-conductor platform.

The technology described herein can be implemented in any suitable system, such as a suitably configured micro-processor based system. In an embodiment, the technology described herein is implemented in computer and/or micro-processor based system.

The various functions of the technology described herein can be carried out in any desired and suitable manner. For example, the functions of the technology described herein can be implemented in hardware or software, as desired. Thus, for example, the various functional elements and “means” of the technology described herein may comprise a suitable processor or processors, controller or controllers, functional units, circuitry, processing logic, microprocessor arrangements, etc., that are operable to perform the various functions, etc., such as appropriately dedicated hardware elements and processing circuitry and/or programmable hardware elements and processing circuitry that can be programmed to operate in the desired manner. The various functional elements, etc., may be separate to each other or may share circuitry (e.g. be performed by the same processor), as desired.

It should also be noted here that, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the various functions, etc., of the technology described herein may be duplicated and/or carried out in parallel on a given processor.

The technology described herein is applicable to any suitable form or configuration of graphics processor and renderer, such as tile-based graphics processors, immediate mode renderers, processors having a “pipelined” rendering arrangement, etc.

As will be appreciated from the above, the technology described herein is particularly, although not exclusively, applicable to graphics processors and processing devices, and accordingly extends to a graphics processor and a graphics processing platform including the apparatus of, or operated in accordance with the method of, any one or more of the embodiments of the technology described herein described herein. Subject to any hardware necessary to carry out the specific functions discussed above, such a graphics processor can otherwise include any one or more or all of the usual functional units, etc., that graphics processors include.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that all of the described embodiments of the technology described herein can include, as appropriate, any one or more or all of the preferred and optional features described herein.

The methods in accordance with the technology described herein may be implemented at least partially using software e.g. computer programs. It will thus be seen that when viewed from further embodiments the technology described herein provides computer software specifically adapted to carry out the methods herein described when installed on a data processor, a computer program element comprising computer software code portions for performing the methods herein described when the program element is run on a data processor, and a computer program comprising code adapted to perform all the steps of a method or of the methods herein described when the program is run on a data processing system. The data processing system may be a microprocessor, a programmable FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc.

The technology described herein also extends to a computer software carrier comprising such software which when used to operate a graphics processor, renderer or other system comprising a data processor causes in conjunction with said data processor, said processor, renderer or system to carry out the steps of the methods of the technology described herein. Such a computer software carrier could be a physical storage medium such as a ROM chip, CD ROM or disk, or could be a signal such as an electronic signal over wires, an optical signal or a radio signal such as to a satellite or the like.

It will further be appreciated that not all steps of the methods of the technology described herein need be carried out by computer software and thus from a further broad In an embodiment the technology described herein provides computer software and such software installed on a computer software carrier for carrying out at least one of the steps of the methods set out herein.

The technology described herein may accordingly suitably be embodied as a computer program product for use with a computer system. Such an implementation may comprise a series of computer readable instructions either fixed on a tangible, non-transitory medium, such as a computer readable medium, for example, diskette, CD ROM, ROM, or hard disk, or transmittable to a computer system, via a modem or other interface device, over either a tangible medium, including but not limited to optical or analogue communications lines, or intangibly using wireless techniques, including but not limited to microwave, infrared or other transmission techniques. The series of computer readable instructions embodies all or part of the functionality previously described herein.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such computer readable instructions can be written in a number of programming languages for use with many computer architectures or operating systems. Further, such instructions may be stored using any memory technology, present or future, including but not limited to, semiconductor, magnetic, or optical, or transmitted using any communications technology, present or future, including but not limited to optical, infrared, or microwave. It is contemplated that such a computer program product may be distributed as a removable medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation, for example, shrink wrapped software, pre loaded with a computer system, for example, on a system ROM or fixed disk, or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over a network, for example, the Internet or World Wide Web.

An embodiment of the technology described herein will now be described with reference to the encoding of texture data for use in graphics processing that is in the form of a colour map (i.e. colour data). However, as discussed above, and as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the technology described herein is applicable to data encoding and decoding in general, and so therefore should not be considered to be limited to the present example of texture colour data encoding.

FIG. 1 illustrates the basic encoding process of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an original image or array 1 of texture data elements (texels) (a texture “map”) is subdivided into a plurality of 4×4 texture element blocks 2. (Other block sizes can be used, as will be discussed further below.)

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the original image (texture map) 1 is divided into blocks of equal size. This simplifies the task of finding which block a given texture data element lies in, and gives a constant data rate.

In this embodiment, each texture element (texel) in the original texture map data array (image) represents the colour to be used at the position of the respective texture element, and accordingly has allocated to it a data value comprising a set of colour values (e.g. red, green, blue (RGB), and, optionally alpha (transparency) values. In other words, in this embodiment, the data values that are encoded and generated, etc., each correspond to and represent a colour (a set of colour values). For convenience, the following description will therefore refer primarily to “colours” but it should be understood that such references indicate a data value comprising a set of colour values that represent the colour in question.

In the present embodiment, rather than storing the array of colour data in its full, original form, each 4×4 texture element block 2 is encoded as a texture data block 5 that has a reduced size as compared to the texture data in its original, unencoded form. This, in effect, compresses the original texture data, thereby making its storage and processing easier and more efficient. In the present embodiment, each encoded texture data block 5 uses 128 bits. (Other arrangements would, of course, be possible.)

Each encoded, reduced size, texture data block 5 contains, as will be discussed further below, sufficient and appropriate data to allow data corresponding to or representing the original, unencoded, data of the 4×4 texture element block in question to be reproduced.

For each block 2 of the original image (texture map) 1, a corresponding encoded texture data block 5 is generated. The individual texture data blocks making up the texture map are encoded in the present embodiment in raster order. Other arrangements, such as the use of Morton order, would, of course, be possible.

Thus, in the present embodiment, each encoded texture data file comprises a sequence of individual texture data blocks encoding the array of texture data elements (the image data).

The number of texture data blocks in the file will depend on the size of the texture map (texture data array) that is being encoded, and, e.g., whether the data is being stored in mip-map form. If mip-maps are used, then if the first level of texture map resolution is encoded using “n” texture data blocks, there will be “n/4” texture data blocks for the mip-map level above, “n/16” blocks for the next mip-map, “n/64” for the next, “n/256” for the next again, and so on (but no less than one block for each level) until the mip-map level with size 1×1 is reached.

(In the present embodiment, the encoded texture data can be and in an embodiment is stored in the form of mip-maps (i.e. where multiple versions of the original texture data array, each having different levels of detail (resolution), are stored for use). The mip-maps are in an embodiment stored one after each other in memory, with each mip-map level being, as is known in the art, a downscaled (by a factor of 2) representation (image) of the original array (image). The mip-maps are stored in order of descending resolution, i.e. n×n, . . . , 16×16, 8×8, 4×4, 2×2, 1×1. The smaller mip-maps (<8×8) are each stored individually in a separate encoded data block.)

As will be discussed further below, the present embodiment supports arrangements in which the texture data elements (texels) in a given texel block to be encoded are divided into different sub-sets or partitions within the block. FIG. 2 illustrates this, and shows a 4×4 texel block 2 which has been divided into three partitions 10, 11 and 12. Thus the texels labelled “a” in FIG. 2 belong to a first partition 10, the texels labelled “b” belong to a second partition 11, and the texels labelled “c” belong to a third partition 12. This block is then encoded in a compressed form as an encoded texture data block 13, but with, as will be explained in more detail below, additional information relating to the partitioning of the original 4×4 texel block.

In accordance with the technology described herein, the present embodiment is able to recognise and encode in a specific manner (and recognise and decode) blocks and regions of texture data elements that all have the same or similar data values. In the present embodiment, such encoded texture data blocks are referred to as “Void Extent” blocks.

The format for encoding (and decoding) blocks of texture data elements (texels), including Void Extent blocks, that is used in the present embodiment will now be described.

Overview

The present embodiment uses a texture compression format designed to provide lossy texture compression suitable for a wide range of different types of content and a wide range of quality/bitrate tradeoffs. The format has the following main features:

-   -   128-bit block size     -   an encoded block is self-contained (any given texel is         completely defined by the contents of a single block)     -   Designed for compression of the following types of texture data:         -   LDR (low dynamic range) texture data with 1, 2, 3 or 4             components per texel (Luminance, Luminance-Alpha, RGB and             RGB-Alpha, respectively)         -   HDR (high dynamic range) texture data with 1, 3 or 4             components per texel     -   Fine-grained per-block adjustable bit-allocation between index         bits and color endpoint bits.     -   2D and 3D variants.     -   Each block represents a rectangular or cuboidal footprint of         texels. The footprint size determines the bit-rate of this         texture format and is global for the texture as a whole.         Supported footprint sizes for 2D variants are:     -   4×4 (8 bpp)     -   5×4 (6.40 bpp)     -   5×5 (5.12 bpp)     -   6×5 (4.27 bpp)     -   6×6 (3.56 bpp)     -   8×5 (3.20 bpp)     -   8×6 (2.67 bpp)     -   10×5 (2.56 bpp)     -   10×6 (2.13 bpp)     -   8×8 (2 bpp)     -   10×8 (1.60 bpp)     -   10×10 (1.28 bpp)     -   12×10 (1.07 bpp)     -   12×12 (0.88 bpp)         Supported footprint sizes for 3D variants are:     -   3×3×3 (4.74 bpp)     -   4×3×3 (3.56 bpp)     -   4×4×3 (2.67 bpp)     -   4×4×4 (2 bpp)     -   5×4×4 (1.60 bpp)     -   5×5×4 (1.28 bpp)     -   5×5×5 (1.02 bpp)     -   6×5×5 (0.85 bpp)     -   6×6×5 (0.71 bpp)     -   6×6×6 (0.59 bpp)     -   The types of texture data supported (component count, LDR vs         HDR) is not dependent on footprint size; all types are available         at all sizes.     -   Block partitioning, with a partitioning pattern generation         function; each partition has a separate pair of endpoint colors.         The format allows different partitions within a single block to         have different endpoint types. The format supports 1 to 4         partitions per block.     -   Index decimation: The format allows indices to be specified for         only some texels, with an infill procedure used for the         remaining texels; this is especially useful at lower bitrates.     -   Void extents: The format offers an encoding to indicate large         empty regions within the texture.     -   The ability to use different data rates for different mipmap         levels.

Layout of the Block

If partitioning is disabled for the block, then the encoded block has the following format:

Bits Usage 10:0  Index Bits Mode 12:11 “00” 16:13 Color Endpoint Mode 127:17  Remaining Space

If partitioning is enabled, the encoded block has the following format:

Bits Usage 10:0  Index Bits Mode 12:11 Partition count minus 1 22:13 Partition index 28:23 Color Endpoint Mode, initial six bits 127:29  Remaining Space

The “Remaining Space” is used to hold Index Data (from the top down), Color Endpoint Data (from the bottom up) and Color Endpoint Mode bits (if more than 6 bits are needed). The sizes of the Index Data, the Color Endpoint Data and the Color Endpoint Mode bits are not fixed, but are instead computed based on Index Bit Mode and the initial six bits of Color Endpoint Mode.

As a special case, if bits[8:0] of the encoded block are “111111100”, then the block does not encode ordinary compressed content; instead, it encodes a Void-Extent Block.

Partitioning

An encoded block is subdivided into 1, 2, 3 or 4 partitions, with a separate color endpoint pair for each partition. The number of partitions is specified by the “Partition count minus 1” bits.

If 2 or more partitions are used, then the partition index is used to select one of 1024 partitioning patterns; the set of patterns supported depends on the partition count and block size.

The partitioning patterns are produced with a generator function; this enables a very large set of partitioning patterns for different block sizes to be implented with a minimal number of gates. The details on how the generator works in this embodiment are given below.

Index Modes

The “Index Bits Mode” field controls the number of indexes present, as well as the range used for them. The set of possible combinations depend on the block dimensionality (2D or 3D).

The actual indexes in the block are stored are follows:

-   -   First, they are encoded using the Integer Sequence Encoding         method described below.     -   The resulting bit-sequence is then bit-reversed, and stored from         the top of the block downwards.

Usage of Indexes

The indexes are used to interpolate between two endpoint colors for each texel. First, they are scaled from whatever interval (range) they were supplied in to the range 0 . . . 1; the resulting value is then used as a weight to compute a weighted sum of the two endpoints. Any suitable unquantization procedure for the scaling to the 0 . . . 1 range can be used.

Index Infill

Each texel that the block encodes has a corresponding index to be used for that texel. In some of the index modes, one index is supplied for every texel in the block; in others, the number of indexes is less than the number of texels. In the latter case, the indexes that are actually to be used for the texels are derived by bilinear (or simplex or trilinear, for 3D blocks) interpolation from the indexes that are supplied (encoded) in the block. Thus, when the index count is smaller than the number of texels in the block, the actual indexes to be used for the texels of the block are derived by bilinear (or simplex or trilinear) interpolation from the index values supplied in the encoded block, i.e. the index for a texel will be computed as an appropriately weighted sum of 2, 3 or 4 (or more) of the indexes supplied (included) in the encoded block.

Thus, in the present embodiment, where an encoded texture data block includes fewer indices than the number of texels the block represents, the encoded texture data block will include a set of index values representing an array of index values at a given resolution that is less than the resolution of the array of texture data elements that the block represents, and then the index values to use for the array of texture data elements that the block represents are derived in use by bilinear (or simplex or trilinear) interpolation from the array of index values that is encoded (included) in the encoded texture data block. For example, an encoded block encoding an 8×8 array of texels may encode (include) only a 5×5 array of index values.

Other arrangements, such as using look-up tables, and/or using predefined index infill patterns (which may be derived, e.g. using a predefined infill pattern generation function, or stored explicitly, e.g. in look-up tables), to derive any “missing” texel indexes can also or instead be used if desired.

Index Planes

Depending on the Index Bits mode selected, the format may offer 1 or 2 index planes. In the case of 2 index planes, two indexes rather than just one are supplied for each texel that receives indexes. Of these two indexes, the first one is used for a weighted sum of three of the color components; the second is used for a weighted sum of the fourth color component. If only 1 index plane is present, it applies to all four color components.

If two index planes are used, then a 2-bit bitfield is used to indicate which of the color components the second index plane applies to. These two bits are stored just below the index bits, except in the case where leftover color endpoint type bits are present; in that case, these two bits are stored just below the leftover color endpoint type bits.

This two-bit bitfield has the following layout:

Value Meaning 0 Red 1 Green 2 Blue 3 Alpha

If index infill is present while two index planes are being used, then index infill is performed on each index plane separately.

Index Modes

The Index Mode field specifies the width, height and depth of the grid of indices, what range of values they use, and whether dual index planes are present. Since some these are not represented using powers of two (there are 12 possible index widths, for example), and not all combinations are allowed, this is not a simple bit packing. However, it can be unpacked quickly in hardware.

The index ranges are encoded using a 3 bit value R, which is interpreted together with a precision bit H, as follows:

R Index Range Trits Quints Bits Low Precision Range (H = 0) 000 Invalid 001 Invalid 010 0 . . . 1 1 011 0 . . . 2 1 100 0 . . . 3 2 101 0 . . . 4 1 110 0 . . . 5 1 1 111 0 . . . 7 3 High Precision Range (H = 1) 000 Invalid 001 Invalid 010 0 . . . 9 1 1 011  0 . . . 11 1 2 100  0 . . . 15 4 101  0 . . . 19 1 2 110  0 . . . 23 1 3 111  0 . . . 31 5

For 2D blocks, the index mode field is laid out as follows:

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Width N Height M Notes D H B A R₀ 0 0 R₂ R₁ B + 4 A + 2 D H B A R₀ 0 1 R₂ R₁ B + 8 A + 2 D H B A R₀ 1 0 R₂ R₁ A + 2 B + 8 D H 0 B A R₀ 1 1 R₂ R₁ A + 2 B + 6 D H 1 B A R₀ 1 1 R₂ R₁ B + 2 A + 2 D H 0 0 A R₀ R₂ R₁ 0 0 12 A + 2 D H 0 1 A R₀ R₂ R₁ 0 0 A + 2 12 D H 1 1 0 0 R₀ R₂ R₁ 0 0  6 10 D H 1 1 0 1 R₀ R₂ R₁ 0 0 10  6 B 1 0 A R₀ R₂ R₁ 0 0 A + 6 B + 6 D = 0, H = 0 x x 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 — — Void-extent x x 1 1 1 x x x x 0 0 — — Reserved x x x x x x x 0 0 0 0 — — Reserved

Note that, due to the encoding of the R field, as described in the previous page, bits R₂ and R₁ cannot both be zero, which disambiguates the first five rows from the rest of the table.

For 3D blocks, the index mode field is laid out as follows:

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Width N Height M Depth Q Notes D H B A R₀ C R₂ R₁ A + 2 B + 2 C + 2 B 0 0 A R₀ R₂ R₁ 0 0 6 B + 2 A + 2 D = 0, H = 0 B 0 1 A R₀ R₂ R₁ 0 0 A + 2 6 B + 2 D = 0, H = 0 B 1 0 A R₀ R₂ R₁ 0 0 A + 2 B + 2 6 D = 0, H = 0 D H 1 1 0 0 R₀ R₂ R₁ 0 0 6 2 2 D H 1 1 0 1 R₀ R₂ R₁ 0 0 2 6 2 D H 1 1 1 0 R₀ R₂ R₁ 0 0 2 2 6 x x 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 — — — Void- extent x x 1 1 1 1 x x x 0 0 — — — Reserved (except for valid void extent encodings) x x x x x x x 0 0 0 0 — — — Reserved

The D bit is set to indicate dual-plane mode. In this mode, the maximum allowed number of partitions is 3.

The size of the grid in each dimension must be less than or equal to the corresponding dimension of the block footprint. If the grid size is greater than the footprint dimension in any axis, then this is an illegal block encoding and all texels will decode to an error color.

The index range specifies how the index values are used to compute the weightings. In all cases, the value 0 will generate an interpolated value with the value of endpoint 1, and the maximum value (according to the selected range) generates an interpolated value equal to endpoint 2's value.

For LDR endpoint values, the interpolation is linear. So if M is the maximum allowed value in the range, the actual interpolated value is equal to (1−index/M)*(endpoint value 1)+(index/M)*(endpoint value 2). The division by M is what scales the input values in the range 0 . . . M into weighting values in the range 0 . . . 1. The range therefore selects how many intermediate steps there are between these two values. The more range, the more likely one is able to represent a value closely, but the more bits needed to encode it.

In the present embodiment, the index value is first rescaled so that M is a power of two (in an embodiment 64), so that the costly division by M can be replaced with a relatively cheap multiplication by 64/M, and then a division by 64.

For HDR endpoint values, the interpolation is a logarithmic function, or an approximation thereof. The endpoint values are encoded as logarithms to the base 2 of the original endpoint values. So if M is the maximum allowed value in the range, the interpolated value is the logarithm of the final decoded values, and is equal to (1−index/M)*(endpoint value 1)+(index/M)*(endpoint value 2). The final decoded value is therefore 2 to the power of the interpolated value.

In the present embodiment, the HDR endpoint values are stored as values with a 12 bit floating point representation, and interpolation occurs in a piecewise-approximate logarithmic manner as follows.

The HDR color components from each endpoint, C0 and C1, are initially shifted left 4 bits to become 16-bit integer values and these are first interpolated in the same way as LDR, using the rescaled index value i. The resulting 16-bit value C is then decomposed into the top five bits, e, and the bottom 11 bits m, which are then processed and recombined with e to form the final value Cf:

C=floor((C0*(64−i)+C1*i+32)/64)

E=(C&0xF800)>>11; m=C&0x7FF;

if (m<512){mt=3*m;}

else if (m>=1536){mt=5*m−2048;}

else {mt=4*m−512;}

Cf=(e<<10)+(mt>>3)

This interpolation is simple to implement in hardware, and is a considerably closer approximation to a logarithmic interpolation than interpolating the integer interpretation of the bit pattern of a floating-point value.

The final value Cf is interpreted as an IEEE FP16 value. If the result is +Inf or NaN, it is converted to the bit pattern 0x7BFF, which is the largest representable finite value.

The index count is used in larger block sizes to indicate how many indexes are actually present in the encoded block. This may be less than the size of the block, in which case the “missing” indexes have to be derived (as discussed above). (For example, a block encoding an 8×8 texel array may only specify a 4×4 grid of indexes, in which case the remaining indexes will be generated using “index infill”, as discussed above.)

Color Endpoint Modes

The format of the present embodiment supports 16 Color Endpoint Modes, which are described in more detail later. These endpoint modes are subdivided into 4 classes:

-   -   class 0: one color endpoint pair is specified by 2 integers     -   class 1: one color endpont pair is specified by 4 integers     -   class 2: one color endpoint pair is specified with 6 integers     -   class 3: one color endpoint pair is specified with 8 integers

Each of these classes contains 4 Color Endpoint Modes.

In 1-partition mode, the 4-bit Color Endpoint Mode field has the following encoding:

Bits Usage 1:0 Endpoint Mode Class 3:2 Endpoint Mode within class

In modes with more than 1 partition, the color endpoint mode coding is more elaborate:

First, we have a 2-bit Endpoint Mode Class Pair Selector; this selector is encoded as follows:

Value Meaning 00 All endpoint pairs are of same type, this type follows 01 All endpoint pairs are of class 0 or class 1 10 All endpoint pairs are of class 1 or class 2 11 All endpoint pairs are of class 2 or class 3

If all endpoints are of same type, then this field is followed by a 4-bit field, containing the Color Endpoint Mode used for all partitions. Otherwise, the field is followed by:

-   -   First, one bit per partition indicating which class its endpoint         pair belongs to.     -   Then, two bits per partition indicating which mode within the         class it belongs to.

Thus, for multi-partition modes, the endpoint mode representation may take from 6 to 14 bits. Of these, the 6 first bits are stored just after the partition indexes, and the remaining bits are stored just below the index bits (variable position).

This data layout ensures that the bits that indicate endpoint pair class always appear in fixed locations; this helps decode performance in hardware.

Color Endpoint Representation

The color endpoints themselves are also represented using the Integer Sequence Encoding. The actual range being used is not directly encoded in the block; instead, the following is done:

-   -   From the partition-count and color-mode encodings, the number of         integers actually needed for the color encodings is computed.         This may be from 2 to 32, in increments of 2. (The lowest count,         2, occurs when using the Two-Luminance endpoint type with a         single partition; the highest count, 32, occurs when using the         Two-RGBA endpoint type with 4 partitions).     -   From the partition-count, color-mode encoding and         index-bits-mode, the number of bits needed to represent these         data fields is computed; this bit count is then subtracted from         the block size in order to obtain the number of bits actually         available for the color encodings.     -   Then, the largest range whose Integer Sequence Encoding will fit         into the available number of bits is determined (and used).

For example, if the space available for color endpoints is 35 bits, and the number of integers actually needed for the color encodings is ten, then the range used will be 0 . . . 9: the Integer Sequence Encoding of ten integers of such a range takes 34 bits, which fits. The next step up would be to use the range 0 . . . 11; for this range, the Integer Sequence Encoding would take 36 bits to encode ten integers, which would not fit.

Integer Sequence Encoding

The Integer Sequence Encoding is a data encoding that is used to encode most of the data in the compressed (encoded) texture data block.

In order to use space efficiently, the encoding format is able to use a non-integer number of bits for its color endpoint and index fields. This is achieved by using trits (items that can take the values 0, 1, 2 (whereas bits can only take the values 0 and 1)), and quints (which can take the values 0, 1, 2, 3, 4). As trits and quints cannot be represented directly in a binary computer the encoding format instead stores trits and quints in a bit representation that allows n trits to be represented with

$\left\lceil \frac{8n}{5} \right\rceil$

bits and n quints to be represented with

$\left\lceil \frac{7n}{3} \right\rceil$

bits.

The Integer Sequence Encoding is used to store a sequence of integers within a bounded range. The range used determines how many bits, trits and quints are used to store each integer. The set of supported ranges and their bit/trit/quint allocation is:

Range Bits Trits/Quints 0 . . . 1  1 0 0 . . . 2  0 1 trit 0 . . . 3  2 0 0 . . . 4  0 1 quint 0 . . . 5  1 1 trit 0 . . . 7  3 0 0 . . . 9  1 1 quint 0 . . . 11 2 1 trit 0 . . . 15 4 0 0 . . . 19 2 1 quint 0 . . . 23 3 1 trit 0 . . . 31 5 0 0 . . . 39 3 1 quint 0 . . . 47 4 1 trit 0 . . . 63 6 0 0 . . . 79 4 1 quint 0 . . . 95 5 1 trit  0 . . . 127 7 0  0 . . . 159 5 1 quint  0 . . . 191 6 1 trit  0 . . . 255 8 0 Encoding with Bits Only

If the range selected only uses bits, then integers are stored sequentially, with the lowest bit appearing first in the sequence encoding. For example, if you want to encode a sequence of four numbers (a, b, c, d) whose range is 0.7 and whose bit-representation is (a=a₂a₁a₀, b=b₂b₁b₀, c=c₂c₁c₀, d=d₂d₁d₀), then the resulting sequence is the 12-bit pattern d₂d₁d₀c₂c₁c₀b₂b₁b₀a₂a₁a₀

Encoding with Trits

If the range selected uses trits, then each integer is broken into two parts before encoding: if the selected range has b bits, then the low part of a given integer x is given by L=X mod 2^(b) and the high part is given by

$H = {\left\lfloor \frac{X}{2^{b}} \right\rfloor.}$

The L portion is represented by zero or more bits; the H portion is represented by one trit. The integers are then stored in groups of 5, as follows:

-   -   First, a trit H is collected from every integer; this results in         5 trits. These are encoded into a trit-block; the full size of         the trit-block is 8 bits.     -   Then, bits are stored in the sequence in the following order:         -   First, the low bits for the first integer are stored.         -   Then, bits[1:0] of the trit-block are stored.         -   Then, the low bits for the second integer are stored.         -   Then, bits[3:2] of the trit-block are stored.         -   Then, the low bits for the third integer are stored.         -   Then, bit[4] of the trit-block is stored.         -   Then, the low bits for the fourth integer are stored.         -   Then bits[6:5] of the trit-block are stored.         -   Then, the low bits for the fifth integer are stored.         -   Then, bit [7] of the trit-block is stored.

This operation is repeated for every group of 5 integers, until all the integers in the sequence have been consumed. At encode time, if the number of integers is not a multiple of 5, the integer sequence is padded with 0s until its size becomes a multiple of 5. At decode time, if the number of integers to extract from the sequence is not a multiple of 5, then the sequence's bit representation has a (notionally infinite) string of zero-bits appended. This way, the format only stores bits for the integers actually needed, instead of storing bits for a multiple-of-5 integers.

Decoding of a Trit-Block

Let the trit-block be denoted by b[7:0]. Now, proceed as follows:

• First, we check whether b[4 : 2] is equal to 3′b111. If it is, then:   - Set c={b[7:5],b[1:0]}   - Set t₄=2 and t₃=2 • Else   - Set c=b[4:0]   - If b[6:5]=2′b11 then    □ Set t₄=2 and t₃={1′b0,b[7]}   - Else    □ Set t₄={1′b0,b[7]} and t₃=b[6:5] • If c[1:0]=2′b11 then   - t₂=2 , t₁={1′b0,c[4]} , t₀={c[3], c[2]&~c[3]} • Else if c[3:2]=2′b11 then   - t₂=2 , t₁=2 , t₀=c[1:0] • Else   - t₂={1′b0,c[4]} , t₁=c[3:2] , t₀={c[1], c[0]&~c[1]}

This encoding is chosen based on two criteria:

1. It has the property that if only the n lowest trits are nonzero, then only the

$\left\lceil \frac{8n}{5} \right\rceil$

lowest bits of the trit-block can actually be nonzero. 2. The decoding process has a particularly efficient hardware implementation. The AND-NOT operation on the lowest bit of t₀ ensures that the trit-block unpacks to a tuple of 5 valid trits for all the 256 possible input values, even though there are only 3⁵=243 such tuples. Example Integer Sequence with Trits

As an example, it will be assumed that 8 integers in the range 0 . . . 11 are to be encoded using the Integer Sequence Encoding scheme of the present embodiment, and that these eight integers are {2, 9, 3, 5, 11, 8, 0, 4}. First, the integers need to be split them into bits and trits; given that the 0.11 range has one trit and two bits, the result of this splitting is:

Trits (high part of the numbers): {0, 2, 0, 1, 2, 2, 0, 1}

Bits (low part of the numbers): {01, 01, 11, 01, 11, 00, 00, 00}

Given that there are 8 trits and 16 bits, the encoded Integer Sequence will have

${16 + \left\lceil \frac{8*8}{5} \right\rceil} = {29\mspace{14mu} {{bits}.}}$

The trits now need to be encoded into two trit-blocks. The low 5 trits are encoded into one trit-block; the high 3 trits are encoded into a second trit-block.

Encoding with Quints

If the range selected uses quints, then each integer is broken into two parts before encoding: if the selected range has b bits, then the low part of a given integer X is given by L=X mod 2^(b) and the high part is given by

$H = {\left\lfloor \frac{X}{2^{b}} \right\rfloor.}$

The L portion is represented by zero or more bits; the H portion is represented by one quint. The integers are then stored in groups of 3, as follows:

-   -   First, a quint H is collected from every integer; this results         in 3 quints. These are encoded into a quint-block; the full size         of the quint-block is 7 bits.     -   Then, bits are stored in the sequence in the following order:         -   First, the low bits for the first integer are stored.         -   Then, bits[2:0] of the quint-block are stored.         -   Then, the low bits for the second integer are stored.         -   Then, bits[4:3] of the quint-block are stored.         -   Then, the low bits for the third integer are stored.         -   Then, bit[6:5] of the quint-block is stored.

This operation is repeated for every group of 3 integers, until all the integers in the sequence have been consumed. At encode time, if the number of integers is not a multiple of 3, the integer sequence is padded with 0s until its size becomes a multiple of 3. At decode time, if the number of integers to extract from the sequence is not a multiple of 3, then the sequence's bit representation has a (notionally infinite) string of zero-bits appended. This way, the format only stores bits for the integers actually needed, instead of storing bits for a multiple-of-3 integers.

Decoding of a Quint-Block

Let the quint-block be denoted by b[6:0] Now, proceed as follows:

• If b[2:1]=2′b11 and b[6:5]=2′b00 then   - Set t₂={b[0], b[4]&~ b[0], b[3]&~ b[0]}, t₁=4 , t₀=4 • Else   - If b[2:1]=2′b11 then    □ Set t₂=4 and c={b[4:3], ~ b[6:5], b[0]}   - Else    □ Set t₂={1′b0,b[6:5]} and c=b[4:0]   - If c[2:0]=3′b101 then    □ Set t₁=4 and t₀={1′b0,c[4:3]}   - Else    □ Set t₁={1′b0,c[4:3]} and t₀=c[2:0]

This encoding is chosen by two criteria:

3. It has the property that if only the n lowest quints are nonzero, then only the

$\left\lceil \frac{7n}{3} \right\rceil$

lowest bits of the quint-block can actually be nonzero. 4. The decoding process has a particularly efficient hardware implementation.

The AND-NOT operation in the first rule ensures that all 128 possible values decode to valid quint-triplets, even though there exists only 5³=125 distinct quint-triplet values; four of the values (of the form 7′b00xx111) represent the quint-triplet <4,4,4>.

The above decoding arrangement when using trits or quints effectively, for a stream of values, first emit the bits for each value, and then emit sufficient bits from the packed trit- or quint-block to make up 8n/5 (rounded up) bits or 7n/3 (rounded up) bits, respectively. This ensures that the bitstream can be terminated after any value without losing data.

The above trit/quint unpacking functions have a relatively low hardware cost.

Other arrangements would, of course, be possible. For example, there are a fairly large number of possible unpacking functions as such; some of these can be obtained by e.g. just inverting or swapping input or output bits relative to what is described above; other ones can be obtained by more elaborate sub-case approaches or by arithmetic (repeated division/modulo gives one particularly-easy-to-understand unpacking; however this approach is expensive in HW) or by look-up tables (which allow arbitrary unpacking functions albeit at a higher cost).

Color Endpoint Unquantization

The color endpoints, after having been extracted from their Integer Sequence Encoding, need to be unquantized so that they end up in the range 0.255 instead of whatever range was used in the Integer Sequence Encoding.

For bit-only ranges, the unquantization is done using simple bit replication.

In the case of a number composed of a trit/quint and one or more bits, a more elaborate procedure is performed:

-   -   First, the lowest bit b₀ is cut off.     -   Based on the range used, a constant C is selected; the trit or         quint is multiplied by this constant, resulting in the 9-bit         value T.     -   Based on the range used, a swizzle is performed on the remaining         bits; this 9-bit value is called B.     -   The addition T+B is then performed, then every bit of the         addition result is XORed with the bit b₀.     -   The result is a 9-bit number; b₀ is prepended to this number,         then the two lowest bits are discarded; this leaves 8 bits,         which is the unquantization result.

Below are tables that specify the swizzles and C values to use for the various ranges. Note that the lowest bit b₀ is not part of the input bits.

Swizzles and C values for the case where a trit component is present:

Range Input bits Swizzle C 0 . . . 5  none 000000000 204 0 . . . 11 a a000a0aa0 93 0 . . . 23 ab ab000abab 44 0 . . . 47 abc abc000abc 22 0 . . . 95 abcd abcd000ab 11  0 . . . 191 abcde abcde000a 5 Swizzles and C values for the case where a quint component is present:

Range Input bits Swizzle C 0 . . . 9  none 000000000 113 0 . . . 19 a a0000aa00 54 0 . . . 39 ab ab0000aba 26 0 . . . 79 abc abc0000ab 13  0 . . . 159 abcd abcd0000a 6

This procedure produces an unquantization result with an error that is never greater than off-by-1 relative to a correctly-rounding unquantization, while imposing a much lesser hardware cost (the “correctly rounding” unquantization procedure requires a multiplier, while the procedure presented here does not). It can have the side effect of scrambling the code point order, but this does not adversely affect image quality and is therefore considered acceptable (the encoder can easily compensate for this scrambling with a simple table lookup).

In this unquantisation procedure, the constant C is based on 1023/M where M is the maximum value in the range, and is selected so that the trit or quint makes a low-order contribution to the final unquantized result (while the bits make a high-order contribution, which is what the swizzle ultimately tries to achieve), such that the representable codepoints are as evenly distributed as possible.

The swizzle patterns are related to the bit patterns of the reciprocal of M, so that the swizzle effectively does a truncated multiplication.

The manipulation using b₀ is done in order to obtain codepoint symmetry, so that if there exists a value that unquantizes to X, there also always exists a value that unquantizes to 255-X. (This symmetry does not quite hold for the 0 . . . 2 and 0 . . . 4 ranges, which do not allow for the b₀ bit at all; these have an odd number of codepoints and therefore cannot be made symmetric.)

Color Endpoint Modes

The format of the present embodiment supports a total of 16 Color Endpoint Modes; these modes control how the color endpoint integers are converted into actual endpoint colors. The integers are the 0 . . . 255 range integers that are present after the Color Endpoint Unquantization.

Several procedures are used repeatedly for several color conversion modes; below, C++ implementations of these procedures are given:

The Bit_Transfer_Signed Procedure

The bit_transfer procedure is used when one of the integers in an endpoint representation is deemed to require more precision than the other ones. It is used instead of independently assigning ranges to some sets of values, to skew the bit distribution more favourably.

Assuming two integers A and B, the bit-transfer works from A to B as follows:

void bit_transfer_signed( uin8_t &a, uint8_t &b )  {  b >>= 1;  b |= a & 0x80;  a >>= 1;  a &= 0x3F;  if( (a & 0x20) != 0 ) a −= 0x40;  }

Where necessary, the encoding should specify which values are the donors and which the receivers of the transferred bits.

The Blue-Contraction Procedure

The blue_contract procedure is used to provide 1 extra bit of effective precision for the red and green components of RGB colors that are close to gray. The procedure works as follows:

void blue_contract( uint8_t &r, uint8_t &g, uint8_t &b )  {  r = (r+b) >> 1;  g = (g+b) >> 1;  }

This procedure is used, because the Applicants have recognised that if the texels in a block to be encoded are close to grey, then the endpoint r, g, and b values will be close to one another, and it is advantageous in that case to encode the r and g components with more precision than the blue. The encoder may decide in this case to transfer precision from the blue by expanding the endpoint's green and red components according to the following blue-expansion transformation:

G=(g<<1)−b

R=(r<<1)−b

B=b

(It can be determined that the endpoints are sufficiently close to the gray line by, for example, testing if the gray expansion transform results in values that can be properly represented, i.e. they are still in the range 0 . . . 1. Other arrangements would, of course, be possible.)

The resulting R and G and B values are encoded as the endpoint values.

If this has been applied during encoding, the inverse “blue contraction” transformation described above must be applied to the endpoint values after decoding:

g=(G+B)>>1

r=(R+B)>>1

b=B

The encoder could use an additional bit to indicate to the decoder that this is required, but in the present embodiment it takes advantage of the fact that the order of endpoints is not important. A comparison function between the two endpoint colors (e.g. by comparing the total of r, g and b for each endpoint) is therefore defined. The encoder then orders the endpoints such that that the results of the comparison between the color values at endpoint 1 and endpoint 2 reflects whether blue contraction should be applied during the decoding process or not. The decoder will then use the same comparison function to conditionally apply blue contraction on the endpoint values after decoding (as discussed below).

Colour Endpoint Mode 0: Two Luminance or Alpha endpoints

This mode takes as input two integers (v0, v1). If v0 is less than or equal to v1, then these integers form two RGBA colors (r0, g0,b0,a0)=(v0,v0,v0,0xFF) and (r1,g1,b1,a1)=(v1,v1,v1,0xFF). Otherwise, they form two RGBA colors (r0,g0,b0,a0)=(0,0,0,v1) and (r1,g1,b1,a1)=(0,0,0,v0).

Mode 1: Luminance, Base+Offset

This mode takes as input two integers (v0,v1). Two integers I0 and I1 are then formed according to the following procedure:

void mode1_unpack( int v0, int v1, int &l0, int &l1 )  {  l0 = (v0 >> 2) | (v1 & 0xC0);  l1 = l0 + (v1 & 0x3f);  if(l1 > 0xFF) l1 = 0xFF;  }

After this, two RGBA colors are formed as (r0,g0,b0,a0)=(I0,I0,I0,0xFF) and (r1,g1,b1,a1)=(I1,I1,I1,0xFF)

Mode 2: HDR Luminance, Large Range

This mode takes as input two integers (v0,v1). These two integers are then unpacked into a pair of HDR luminance values, as follows:

void mode2_unpack_y( int v0, int v1, int &y0, int &y1 )  {    if(v1 >= v0)    {     y0 = (v0 << 4);     y1 = (v1 << 4);    }    else    {     y0 = (v1 << 4) + 8;     y1 = (v0 << 4) − 8;    }  }

This mode is intended for use when there are large luminance changes in a small region or there is a need to represent very large/small luminance values.

Mode 3: HDR Luminance, Small Range

This mode takes as input two integers (v0,v1). These two integers are then unpacked into a pair of HDR luminance values, as follows:

void mode3_unpack_y( int v0, int v1, int &y0, int &y1 )  {    if((v0&0x80) !=0)    {      y0 = ((v1 & 0xE0) << 4) | ((v0 & 0x7F) << 2);      d = (v1 & 0x1F) << 2;    }    else    {      y0 = ((v1 & 0xF0) << 4) | ((v0 & 0x7F) << 1);      d = (v1 & 0x0F) << 1;    }    y1 = y0 + d;    if(y1 > 0xFFF) { y1 = 0xFFF; }  }

Mode 4: Two Luminance-Alpha Endpoints

This mode takes as input four integers (v0, v1, v2, v3). These integers form two RGBA colors (r0,g0,g0,a0)=(v0,v0,v0,v2) and (r1,g1,b1,a1)=(v1,v1,v1,v3)

Mode 5: Luminance-Alpha, Base+Offset

This mode takes as input four integers (v0, v1, v2, v3). From these integers, a base value (Ib, ab)=(v0, v2) and an offset value (Io,ao)=(v1,v3) are formed; the bit_transfer_signed procedure is then performed to transfer one bit from Io to Ib, and one bit from ao to ab; the two endpoints then form two RGBA colors as (r0,g0,b0,a0)=(Ib,Ib,Ib,ab) and (r1,g1,b1,a1)=(Ib+Io,Ib+Io,Ib+Io,ab+ao). The RGB values are clamped to the range 0x00.0xFF.

Mode 6: RGB and Scale

This mode takes as input four integers (v0, v1, v2, v3). From these integers, two endpoint colors are formed:

-   -   Endpoint color 0 is given by (r0,g0,b0,a0)=((v0*v3)>>8,         (v1*v3)>>8, (v2*v3)>>8, 0xFF)     -   Endpoint color 1 is given by (r1,g1,b1,a1)=(v0,v1,v2,0xFF)

Mode 7: Two HDR RGB Endpoints, Base and Scale

This mode takes as input four integers (v0, v1, v2, v3). These are a complex packing allowing bits to be transferred from one color component to another. The integers are unpacked into two HDR RGBA endpoint colors e0 and e1 as follows:

void mode7_unpack_y( int v0, int v1, color &e0, color &e1 ) {   int modeval = ((v0 & 0xC0) >> 6) | ((v1 & 0x80) >> 5) | ((v2 &   0x80) >> 4);   int majcomp;   int mode;   if( (modeval & 0xC ) != 0xC )      { majcomp = modeval >> 2; mode = modeval & 3; }   else if( modeval != 0xF )      { majcomp = modeval & 3; mode = 4; }   else      { majcomp = 0; mode = 5; }   int red = v0 & 0x3f;   int green = v1 & 0x1f;   int blue = v2 & 0x1f;   int scale = v3 & 0x1f;   int x0 = (v1 >> 6) & 1; int x1 = (v1 >> 5) & 1;   int x2 = (v2 >> 6) & 1; int x3 = (v2 >> 5) & 1;   int x4 = (v3 >> 7) & 1; int x5 = (v3 >> 6) & 1; int x6 = (v3 >> 5)   & 1;   int ohm = 1 << mode;   if( ohm & 0x30 ) green |= x0 << 6;   if( ohm & 0x3A ) green |= x1 << 5;   if( ohm & 0x30 ) blue |= x2 << 6;   if( ohm & 0x3A ) blue |= x3 << 5;   if( ohm & 0x3D ) scale |= x6 << 5;   if( ohm & 0x2D ) scale |= x5 << 6;   if( ohm & 0x04 ) scale |= x4 << 7;   if( ohm & 0x3B ) red |= x4 << 6;   if( ohm & 0x04 ) red |= x3 << 6;   if( ohm & 0x10 ) red |= x5 << 7;   if( ohm & 0x0F ) red |= x2 << 7;   if( ohm & 0x05 ) red |= x1 << 8;   if( ohm & 0x0A ) red |= x0 << 8;   if( ohm & 0x05 ) red |= x0 << 9;   if( ohm & 0x02 ) red |= x6 << 9;   if( ohm & 0x01 ) red |= x3 << 10;   if( ohm & 0x02 ) red |= x5 << 10;   static const int shamts[6] = { 1,1,2,3,4,5 };   int shamt = shamts[mode];   red <<= shamt; green <<= shamt; blue <<= shamt; scale <<= shamt;   if( mode != 5 ) { green = red - green; blue = red - blue; }   if( majcomp == 1 ) swap( red, green );   if( majcomp == 2 ) swap( red, blue );   e1.r = clamp( red, 0, 0xFFF );   e1.g = clamp( green, 0, 0xFFF );   e1.b = clamp( blue, 0, 0xFFF );   e1.alpha = 0x780;   e0.r = clamp( red - scale, 0, 0xFFF );   e0.g = clamp( green - scale, 0, 0xFFF );   e0.b = clamp( blue - scale, 0, 0xFFF );   e0.alpha = 0x780; }

Mode 8: Two RGB Endpoints

This mode takes as input six integers (v0, v1, v2, v3, v4, v5). From these integers, two sums: s0=(v0+v2+v4), s1=(v1+v3+v5) are computed. These two sums are then compared:

-   -   If s1>=s0, then the two endpoint colors are obtained as         (r0,g0,b0,a0)=(v0,v2,v4,0xFF) and (r1,g1,b1,a1)=(v1,v3,v5,0xFF)     -   If s1<s0, then the two endpoint colors are obtained as         (r0,g0,b0,a0)=(v1,v3,v5,0xFF) and (r1,g1,b1,a1)=(v0,v2,v4,0xFF);         both of these two endpoint colors are then subjected to the         blue_contraction procedure.

Mode 9: RGB Base+Offset

This mode takes as input six integers (v0, v2, v2, v3, v4, v5). These integers form an RGB base (rb, gb, bb)=(v0, v2, v4) and an RGB offset (ro, go, bo)=(v1,v3,v5). The base and offset values are then modified by having the bit_transfer_signed procedure applied to them to move one bit from the offset to the base (that is, from ro to rb, from go to gb and from bo to bb).

The two endpoint colors are then given by (rb,gb,bb,0xFF) and (rb+ro, gb+go, bb+bo, 0xFF).

If the offset sum s=(ro+go+bo) is negative, then the two endpoint numbers are swapped and have the blue_contraction procedure applied to them.). The RGB values are clamped to the range 0x00 . . . 0xFF.

Mode 10: RGB, Scale, and Two Alpha Endpoints

This mode takes as input six integers (v0, v1, v2, v3, v4, v5). First, use (v0,v1,v2,v3) to produce two endpoint colors just as in Mode 6. Then replace the alpha of the first endpoint color with v4 and the alpha of the second endpoint color with v5.

Mode 11: Two HDR RGB Endpoints

This mode takes as input six integers (v0, v1, v2, v3, v4, v5). These are a complex packing allowing bits to be transferred from one color component to another. The integers are unpacked into two HDR RGBA endpoint colors e0 and e1 as follows:

void mode11_unpack_rgb( int v0, int v1, int v2, int v3, int v4, int v5, color &e0, color &e1) {   int majcomp = ((v4 & 0x80) >> 7) | ((v5 & 0x80) >> 6);   if( majcomp == 3 )   {     e0 = (v0 << 4, v2 << 4, (v4 & 0x7f) << 5, 0x780);     e1 = (v1 << 4, v3 << 4, (v5 & 0x7f) << 5, 0x780);     return;   }   int mode = ((v1 & 0x80) >> 7) | ((v2 & 0x80) >> 6) | ((v3 & 0x80) >> 5);   int va = v0 | ((v1 & 0x40) << 2);   int vb0 = v2 & 0x3f;   int vb1 = v3 & 0x3f;   int vc = v1 & 0x3f;   int vd0 = v4 & 0x7f;   int vd1 = v5 & 0x7f;   static const int dbitstab[8] = {7,6,7,6,5,6,5,6};   vd0 = signextend( vd0, dbitstab[mode] );   vd1 = signextend( vd1, dbitstab[mode] );   int x0 = (v2 >> 6) & 1;   int x1 = (v3 >> 6) & 1;   int x2 = (v4 >> 6) & 1;   int x3 = (v5 >> 6) & 1;   int x4 = (v4 >> 5) & 1;   int x5 = (v5 >> 5) & 1;   int ohm = 1 << mode;   if( ohm & 0xA4 ) va |= x0 << 9;   if( ohm & 0x08 ) va |= x2 << 9;   if( ohm & 0x50 ) va |= x4 << 9;   if( ohm & 0x50 ) va |= x5 << 10;   if( ohm & 0xA0 ) va |= x1 << 10;   if( ohm & 0xC0 ) va |= x2 << 11;   if( ohm & 0x04 ) vc |= x1 << 6;   if( ohm & 0xE8 ) vc |= x3 << 6;   if( ohm & 0x20 ) vc |= x2 << 7;   if( ohm & 0x5B ) vb0 |= x0 << 6;   if( ohm & 0x5B ) vb1 |= x1 << 6;   if( ohm & 0x12 ) vb0 |= x2 << 7;   if( ohm & 0x12 ) vb1 |= x3 << 7;   int shamt = (modeval >> 1) {circumflex over ( )} 3;   va <<= shamt; vb0 <<= shamt; vb1 <<= shamt;   vc <<= shamt; vd0 <<= shamt; vd1 <<= shamt;   e1.r = clamp( va, 0, 0xFFF );   e1.g = clamp( va - vb0, 0, 0xFFF );   e1.b = clamp( va - vb1, 0, 0xFFF );   e1.alpha = 0x780;   e0.r = clamp( va - vc, 0, 0xFFF );   e0.g = clamp( va - vb0 - vc - vd0, 0, 0xFFF );   e0.b = clamp( va - vb1 - vc - vd1, 0, 0xFFF );   e0.alpha = 0x780;   if( majcomp == 1 )  { swap( e0.r, e0.g ); swap( e1.r, e1.g ); }   else if( majcomp == 2 ) { swap( e0.r, e0.b ); swap( e1.r, e1.b ); } } Unlike mode 7, this mode is able to represent the full HDR range.

Mode 12: Two RGBA Endpoints

This mode takes as input eight integers (v0, v1, v2, v3, v4, v5, v6, v7). From these integers, two sums: s0=(v0+v2+v4), s1=(v1+v3+v5) are computed. These two sums are then compared:

-   -   If s1>=s0, then the two endpoint colors are obtained as         (r0,g0,b0,a0)=(v0,v2,v4,v6) and (r1,g1,b1,a1)=(v1,v3,v5,v7)     -   If s1<s0, then the two endpoint colors are obtained as         (r0,g0,b0,a0)=(v1,v3,v5,v7) and (r1,g1,b1,a1)=(v0,v2,v4,v6);         both of these two endpoint colors are then subjected to the         blue_contraction procedure.

Mode 13: RGBA Base+Offset

This mode takes as input eight integers (v0, v1, v2, v3, v4, v5, v6, v7). These integers form an RGBA base (rb, gb, bb, ab)=(v0,v2,v4,v6) and an RGB offset (ro, go, bo, ao)=(v1,v3,v5,v7). The bit_transfer_signed procedure is then used to transfer a bit from the offset value to the base values. The two endpoint colors are then given by (rb,gb,bb,ab) and (rb+ro, gb+go, bb+bo, ab+ao). If (ro+go+bo) is negative, then the blue_contraction procedure is applied to the RGB portion of each endpoint.

Mode 14: Two HDR RGBA Endpoints with LDR Alpha

This mode takes as input eight integers (v0, v1, v2, v3, v4, v5, v6, v7). The RGB components are decoded from values (v0 . . . v5) in the manner of Mode 11 discussed above. The alpha components for endpoints 0 and 1 are then filled in from values v6 and v7 respectively.

Mode 15: Two HDR RGBA Endpoints with HDR Alpha

This mode takes as input eight integers (v0, v1, v2, v3, v4, v5, v6, v7). The RGB components are decoded from values (v0 . . . v5) in the manner of Mode 11 discussed above. The alpha components are then decoded as follows from values v6 and v7 as follows:

void mode15_(—) unpack_alpha(int v6, int v6, int& alpha0, int& alpha1)  {    mode = ((v6 >> 7) & 1) | ((v7 >> 6) & 2);    v6 &= 0x7F;    v7 &= 0x7F;    if(mode==3)    {      alpha0 = v6 << 5;      alpha1 = v7 << 5;    }    else    {      v6 |= (v7 << (mode+1))) & 0x780;      v7 &= (0x3F >> mode);      v7 {circumflex over ( )}= 0x20 >> mode;      v7 −= 0x20 >> mode;      v6 <<= (4-mode);      v7 <<= (4-mode);      v7 += v6;      v7 = clamp(v7, 0, 0xFFF);      alpha0 = v6;      alpha1 = v7;    }  }

The Void-Extent Block

A Void-Extent block is an encoded texture data block that specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element should be allocated the same data value when decoded and in which every sample look-up within the encoded texture will only use texture data elements having that same data value (in the present embodiment). If bits[8:0] of the compressed (encoded) block are “111111100”, then the compressed block is a Void-Extent Block. This means that the block has a constant color that is common for all texels in the block, and the block additionally specifies a region within the texture (for a 2D block) in which every bilinear-sampled lookup within the texture will only touch texels whose color is identical to this constant color.

The Void-Extent feature is intended to enable specific texturing optimizations:

-   -   If a texture mapper uses a multipass method for trilinear         filtering or anisotropic mapping, it may use the information in         the Void-Extent block to ascertain that all its passes will only         ever access texels of the same value, and thus return that value         as the final texturing result immediately after the first pass         without running any further passes.     -   A texture mapper may additionally keep a cache of recently-seen         Void-Extent blocks and use them to suppress actual texture-cache         line fills from memory for subsequent texturing operations.     -   Using the Void-Extent information is not mandatory; a texture         mapper that does not implement these optimizations may ignore         the Void-Extent and just treat the block as a constant-color         block.

The following rules and observations apply:

-   -   If the Void-Extent coordinates are all 1s, then it is         interpreted as if the block has no Void-Extent at all and is         simply a constant-color block.         -   Encoders that cannot compute Void-Extents properly but still             wish to use constant-color blocks thus always have the             option to just specify an all-1s pattern for the Void-Extent             in order to produce a straight constant-color block.     -   If a Void-Extent appears in a mipmap other than the most         detailed (lowest) one, then the Void-Extent applies to all more         detailed (lower) mipmap levels as well. As such, a texture         mapper that implements mipmapping as a multipass method may         sample the least detailed (highest) mipmap first, then upon         encountering a Void-Extent, it may abstain from sampling the         more detailed (lower) mipmap.         -   A consequence of this rule is that if a block has a constant             color but the corresponding region in any of the more             detailed (lower) mipmaps do not have a constant color, then             the Void-Extent coordinates must be set to all 0s to signal             the absence of a Void-Extent block. This situation is always             the case for the top 1×1 level of any mipmap pyramid, and             may be the case for more detailed (lower) levels as well, in             case of e.g. checkerboard textures.     -   The constant-color itself is specified using IEEE-754-2008         compliant FP16 values; this is the way in the format of the         present embodiment to specify floating-point content that can         hold negative values.     -   If a Void-Extent extends all the way to the edge of a texture,         the filtered texturing result may not necessarily be equal to         the texel value specified in the Void-Extent block; this may         happen if data sources other than the texture surface itself         contributes to the final filtered result. In such cases, the         texture mapper must include such data into its filtering process         in the same manner as if the Void-Extent were not present.         Examples of such data sources are:         -   Texture border color, when the border color is different             from the color specified in the Void-Extent block.         -   Adjacent-face textures in case of Seamless Cube-Mapping         -   Neighboring texture repeat in the case of the “Repeat”             texture wrap mode     -   If the texture mapper is keeping a cache of recently-seen         Void-Extent blocks, it must guarantee that the presence of this         cache does not produce texture filtering results that are         different from the result it would have produced without the         cache; depending on the specifics of the filtering unit, this         may limit caching to Void-Extent blocks with very specific color         values (e.g. all components are 0 or 1).     -   The Void-Extent specified by a Void-Extent block does not need         to actually overlap the block itself; such non-overlap is         unlikely to be useful, though.     -   Invalid Void-Extents—that is, a Void-Extent specified across a         region of a texture that does not actually have a constant         color—will result in undefined texturing results.

2D Textures

For 2D textures, the Void-Extent Block has the following layout:

Bits Usage 8:0 “111111100” 9 Dynamic range flag 11:10 Reserved, set to “11”. 24:12 Void Extent: Low S coordinate 37:25 Void Extent: High S coordinate 50:38 Void Extent: Low T coordinate 63:51 Void Extent: High T coordinate 79:64 Block color R component 95:80 Block color G component 111:96  Block color B component 127:112 Block color A component

The Void Extent is defined by a (low,high) interval for the S and T texture coordinates. The interval endpoints are represented as UNORM13 values; as such, to get normalized coordinates in the [0, 1] range, the values stored in the block must be divided by 2¹³−1.

The Dynamic Range flag indicates the format in which the block color is stored. A 0 indicates LDR colors, in which case the color components are stored as normalized 16-bit integer values. A 1 indicates HDR color, in which case the color components are stored as FP16 values.

3D Textures

For 3D textures, the Void-Extent Block has the following layout:

Bits Usage 8:0 “111111100” 9 Dynamic range flag 18:10 Void Extent: Low S coordinate 27:19 Void Extent: High S coordinate 36:28 Void Extent: Low T coordinate 45:37 Void Extent: High T coordinate 54:46 Void Extent: Low P coordinate 63:55 Void Extent: High P coordinate 79:64 Block color R component 95:80 Block color G component 111:96  Block color B component 127:112 Block color A component

The Void-Extent is defined by a (low,high) interval for the S, T and P texture coordinates. The interval endpoints are represented as UNORM9 values; as such, to get normalized coordinates in the [0, 1] range, the values stored in the block must be divided by 2⁹−1.

The Dynamic Range flag indicates the format in which the block color is stored. A 0 indicates LDR colors, in which case the color components are stored as normalized 16-bit integer values. A 1 indicates HDR color, in which case the color components are stored as FP16 values.

Partitioning Pattern Generator

As discussed above, the encoding scheme of the present embodiment uses a partitioning pattern generator (a partitioning pattern generation function) in order to produce its partitioning patterns; this allows a large number of partitioning patterns to be supported at minimal hardware cost. (This comes at a slight quality cost compared to using optimized partition tables, however this cost has been measured to be only about 0.2 dB, which does not justify the large hardware cost of providing a full set of optimized tables.)

The generator itself is specified in the form of a C99 function. The arguments to this function are:

-   -   a seed: this is the partition index specified at bits 17:8 in         the 128-bit compressed block. This seed may take values from 0         to 1023.     -   a partition count; this may be 2, 3 or 4.     -   x, y and z positions; these are x, y and z texel position         relative to the upper-left corner of the compressed block (for a         2D block, z is set to zero (0)).     -   a flag indicating small blocks; its value depends on the block         size being used. The value of this flag is chosen to be 1 if the         number of texels in the block is less than 31, otherwise it is         set to 0.

The function returns an integer value in the range 0 . . . 3 specifying which partition the specified texel belongs to. The actual function is defined as follows:

  int select_partition( int seed, int x, int y, int z, int partitioncount, int small_block ) {    // first, scale up coordinates for small blocks.    if(small_block) { x <<= 1; y <<= 1; z <<= 1; }    // then, compute eight pseudoranom numbers,    // all of uniform distribution. They need    //to be at least approximately statistically independent,    // so that they can cover a reasonably wide parameter space.    // the random-seed is modified with the partition-count, so that the    // partitionings we generate for 2, 3 and 4 partitions are distinct.    seed += (partitioncount−1) * 1024;    // we need reproducibility of the pseudorandom numbers, which    // calls for a hash function. The hash52( ) function is designed specifically to provide    // a strong pseudorandom distribution at a modest hardware cost.    uint32_t rnum = hash52(seed);    // construct the seed values from the hash value. While it is    // important that the seeds are independent, it is not important that they have great precision;    // in fact, no error improvement was seen when using seeds wider than 4 bits.    int seed1 = rnum & 0xF;    int seed2 = (rnum >> 4) & 0xF;    int seed3 = (rnum >> 8) & 0xF;    int seed4 = (rnum >> 12) & 0xF;    int seed5 = (rnum >> 16) & 0xF;    int seed6 = (rnum >> 20) & 0xF;    int seed7 = (rnum >> 24) & 0xF;    int seed8 = (rnum >> 28) & 0xF;    int seed9 = (rnum >> 18) & 0xF;    int seed10 = (rnum >> 22) & 0xF;    int seed11 = (rnum >> 26) & 0xF;    int seed12 = ((rnum >> 30) | (rnum << 2)) & 0xF;    // square the seeds. This biases them, so that they are more likely to    // take small rather than large values. The seed values represent    // frequencies for a 2D sawtooth function; squaring them causes    // low frequencies to be more heavily represented than high    // freqeuncies. For the partition function, this causes partitionings    // with low frequencies (large, cleanly-divided regions) to appear    // more frequently than partitionings with high frequencies (lots of    // detail), while not entirely blocking the latter.    seed1 *= seed1;    seed2 *= seed2;    seed3 *= seed3;    seed4 *= seed4;    seed5 *= seed5;    seed6 *= seed6;    seed7 *= seed7;    seed8 *= seed8;    seed9 *= seed9;    seed10 *= seed10;    seed11 *= seed11;    seed12 *= seed12;    // perform shifting of the seed values    // this causes the sawtooth functions to get increased high- frequency content along either    // the X axis or the Y axis or neither; the result is an increase in the amount of    // partitionings that are dominated by horizontal/vertical stripes;    // these are relatively important for overall psnr.    int sh1, sh2, sh3;    // use the bottom bit of the seed to toggle horiz/vert direction.    if( seed & 1 )     {     sh1 = (seed & 2 ? 4 : 5);     sh2 = (partitioncount == 3 ? 6 : 5);     }    else     {     sh1 = (partitioncount == 3 ? 6 : 5);     sh2 = (seed & 2 ? 4 : 5);     }     sh3 = (seed & 0x10) ? sh1 : sh2;    seed1 >>= sh1;    seed2 >>= sh2;    seed3 >>= sh1;    seed4 >>= sh2;    seed5 >>= sh1;    seed6 >>= sh2;    seed7 >>= sh1;    seed8 >>= sh2;    seed9 >>= sh3;    seed10 >>= sh3;    seed11 >>= sh3;    seed12 >>= sh3;    // combine the seed values with the XYZ coordinates to produce 3D planar functions    // Each of them also has an offset added; this offset itself needs to be pseudorandom    // and unbiased for optimal quality. Unlike the seeds themselves, this offset    // needs to have a uniform distribution.    int a = seed1*x + seed2*y + seed11*z + (rnum >> 14);    int b = seed3*x + seed4*y + seed12*z + (rnum >> 10);    int c = seed5*x + seed6*y + seed9*z + (rnum >> 6);    int d = seed7*x + seed8*y + seed10*z + (rnum >> 2);    // bitwise “AND” with a mask turns planar functions into sawtooth functions.    a &= 0x3F;    b &= 0x3F;    c &= 0x3F;    d &= 0x3F;    // remove some of the functions if we are using less than    // 4 partitions.    if( partitioncount < 4 ) d = 0;    if( partitioncount < 3 ) c = 0;    // then, compare the resulting sawtooth-function values in order to    // select a partition.    if( a >= b && a >= c && a >= d )     return 0;    else if( b >= c && b >= d )     return 1;    else if( c >= d )     return 2;    else     return 3;    }

The generator relies on an auxiliary function called hash52( ) this function itself is defined as follows:

   // autogenerated hash function. This hash function was produced by generating    // random instruction sequences (from the set: add-shift, xor-shift, multiply-by-odd-constant;    // these operations have in common that they are all invertible and therefore cannot lose data)    // and then checking whether the instruction sequence, when fed the input data sequence    // 0,1,2,3, ... produces a good pseudorandom output data sequence. The randomness tests run    // were George Marsaglia's “Some Difficult-to-pass Tests    // Of Randomness”.    // Several hundred sunch instruction sequences were generated; “hash52” below was the    // one that appeared to have the most compact hardware    // representation.    // the multiply-by-odd-constant steps had their constants specifically selected so that they    // could be implemented with three shift-add operations, which are much cheaper in hardware    // than general multiplications.    uint32_t hash52( uint32_t p )     {     p {circumflex over ( )}= p >> 15;     p *= 0xEEDE0891; // (2{circumflex over ( )}4+1)*(2{circumflex over ( )}7+1)*(2{circumflex over ( )}17−1)     p {circumflex over ( )}= p >> 5;     p += p << 16;     p {circumflex over ( )}= p >> 7;     p {circumflex over ( )}= p >> 3;     p {circumflex over ( )}= p << 6;     p {circumflex over ( )}= p >> 17;     return p;     }

Note that the arithmetic in hash52( ) must be implemented using unsigned integers that are exactly 32 bits wide. Also note that the multiply may be implemented as a series of three addition/subtraction operations.

The above partition generation function basically works by implementing 2 to 4 sawtooth functions with pseudorandomly-selected directions and frequencies; this is particularly cheap to implement in hardware while being able to produce nearly all partition shapes of interest.

The seed (partition index) is used to generate the parameters for the sawtooth wave generation. As each different seed gives a different combination of waves, it can be thought of as a “pattern index”. (The seed is accordingly, effectively equivalent to the index into the pattern table in a lookup-table based design.)

A mask is used to generate the sawtooth function. It effectively changes a continuously increasing set of values (e.g. 0, 16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 144, 160 . . . ) into a repeating set. A mask of 0x3F applied to the previous sequence would give a sawtooth of (0, 16, 32, 48, 0, 16, 32, 48, 0, 16, 32, 48, 0, 16, 32 . . . ). This is equivalent to the remainder when dividing by 64, but only works when the divisor is a power of two. It is also very much cheaper to implement in hardware than a division circuit.

Other arrangements for determining the partitioning patterns could be used, if desired. For example, the function could be configured to generate curved partitioning shapes. For example, x̂2 and ŷ2 terms could be added into the sawtooth functions. This will yield partitionings with curved shapes (which the “basic” version of the sawtooth function is unable to provide). However, testing with actual content did not actually show any image quality improvement from these shapes. This kind of curve support will also increase the hardware cost.

It would also be possible to use a ROM-based partition table, where the table is, e.g., generated through an optimization process against large amounts of game content. However, storing actual tables would consume large numbers of gates, which would also get multiplied by the number of different block sizes supported and could thereby hamper the scalability of the format.

FIG. 12 shows schematically an arrangement of a graphics processing system 20 that can use textures that have been encoded in accordance with the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the graphics processing system 20 is a tile-based rendering system. However, other arrangements are, of course, possible.

As shown in FIG. 12, the graphics processing system 20 includes a state management system 21, a rasterising stage 22, and a rendering stage 23 in the form of a rendering pipeline. It will be appreciated that each of the stages, elements, and units, etc., of the graphics processor 20 as shown in FIG. 12 may be implemented as desired and will accordingly comprise, e.g., appropriate circuitry, and/or processing logic, etc., for performing the necessary operation and functions.

The state management system 21 stores and controls state data and the state of the graphics processing units to control the graphics processing operation, as is known in the art.

The rasteriser 22 takes as its input primitives to be displayed, and rasterises those primitives to sampling positions and generates fragments to be rendered, as is known in the art.

The rendering pipeline 23 takes fragments from the rasteriser 22 and renders those fragments for display. As is known in the art, the rendering pipeline 23 will include a number of different processing units, such as fragment shaders, blenders, texture mappers, etc.

The output from the rendering pipeline 23 (the rendered fragments) is output to tile buffers 24 (since the present embodiment is a tile-based system). The tile buffers' outputs are then finally output to a frame buffer 25 for display.

FIG. 12 also shows schematically particular features of the graphics processing system 20 that are provided in order for it to use textures encoded in the manner of the present embodiment.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 12, the rendering pipeline 23 includes a texture mapping stage 26 configured to be able to access a texture list buffer 27 to determine a texture needed for texturing a fragment that it receives for rendering.

The texture list buffer 27 will indicate the texture that is required, and then, as is known in the art, the texture mapper 26 will fetch the relevant texture data from a memory 28 and used the fetched texture data to process the fragment in question.

The textures stored in the texture memory 28 are stored using the encoding format of the present embodiment. Thus, when the texture mapper 26 needs a given texel or texels for applying to a fragment being rendered, it will determine the texture map and encoded block within that map that it needs for the texel in question (e.g. based on the position of the texel, as is known in the art), retrieve that block from the memory 28 and then determine the texel's value (e.g. colours) from the encoded block in the manner described above.

The texture mapper 26 includes a suitable decoder (decoding circuitry) to do this. This decoder may, e.g., be in the form of a dedicated hardware element that is configured to decode textures encoded in the form of the present embodiment, or it may, e.g., comprise programmable processing circuitry that has been programmed appropriately to be able to decode textures encoded in the form of the present embodiment. In an embodiment a dedicated hardware decoder is used.

In the present embodiment, the decoding process comprises first determining whether the position of a texture data element to be decoded is within a previously encountered and stored constant data value region (void extent). If it is, the stored corresponding constant data value for the constant data value region (void extent) in question is then returned as the data value to use for the texture data element immediately (i.e. without accessing and decoding any encoded texture data block).

On the other hand, if the position of a texture data element to be decoded is not within a previously encountered and stored constant data value region (void extent), then it is determined which encoded texture data block in the set of encoded texture data blocks representing the texture map to be decoded represents (contains) the texel whose value is required (i.e. that is to be decoded). This is done based on the position of the texel and knowledge of the block size and size of the texture. The identified encoded texture data block is then accessed (e.g. fetched) from memory.

It is then determined whether the encoded block is a Void Extent block (i.e. indicates a constant data value region) or not, by determining whether the block contains the void extent flag (and also that the block is not simply a “constant colour” block).

If the block is a Void Extent block, the decoder determines the constant data value indicated in the Void Extent block and uses that value as the data value for the texel in question.

The decoder also determines from the encoded Void Extent block the extent of the constant data value region specified by the block, and stores that information together with the constant data value for the region (void extent) in question for future use. This information is stored for the most recent Void Extent blocks that the decoder has accessed, on a first-in, first out basis. Other arrangements would, of course, be possible.

The decoding process in an embodiment also comprises, where the encoded texture data block to be decoded is indicated (flagged) as being a Void Extent block, then determining from the information in the block indicating the extent of the constant data value region whether the block is a true “Void Extent” block, or whether it is in fact only a “constant colour” block. In the latter case, it is in an embodiment also determined whether the constant data value applies to more detailed mipmaps or not. If the block is a “constant colour” block, the decoder determines the constant data value indicated in the block and uses that value as the data value for the texel in question.

Where the encoded texture data block is not a Void Extent or a “constant colour” block (i.e. is a “normal” block), the decoder determines the value for the texel from the encoded block of texture data as follows:

1. Find the x,y,z position of the texel to be decoded, relative to the corner of the block (for 2D blocks, z=0).

2. If there is more than one partition, pass the x,y,z position and the seed (partition index) through the partition generation function to determine the partition number for the texel.

3. Read and decode the endpoint values for the partition selected in step 2. This process depends on the colour endpoint mode.

4. Read and decode the index for the texel. Where to find the index data, and how to decode it, is determined by the index range, index count, and number of index planes.

5. Interpolate between the endpoint colors using the index value, as specified above.

6. If there are two index planes, repeat steps 4-5 for the second index, and combine the color components from the separate planes (e.g. RGB from one, A from another into a single RGBA value).

7. The final color is the decoded texel color.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the decoding process for a given texel whose value is required will comprise the following steps:

Determine the position of the texel being looked up

-   -   If it is inside a cached void-extent         -   return the constant colour value for that extent immediately     -   else         -   calculate which block the texel is in         -   load the block         -   if the block is a constant-colour block             -   return the constant colour value             -   if its a void extent block                 -   cache the void extend bounds and the colour         -   if its not a constant-colour block             -   decode as normal

This is repeated for each texel value that is required, and the so-generated, decoded texel values are then applied to sampling positions (fragments) that are being rendered to generate rendered data for those sampling positions (fragments), which rendered data is then, e.g., written to the frame buffer for a display to display the “textured” sampling positions and/or fragments.

As discussed above, the decoder (the texture mapping process) is also configured, in response to recognition of a “constant data value” region indicating Void Extent block to: not perform (avoid) subsequent passes in a multi-pass texture mapping process once such a block has been identified; not sample (avoid sampling) more detailed mipmaps in a multi-pass mip-mapping process once such a constant data value region indicating block has been identified; cache recently loaded/processed constant data value region indicating (Void Extent) blocks and use them to suppress (texture) cache filling from memory for subsequent decoding (texturing) operations; and/or not load (avoid loading) adjacent encoded texture data blocks, where a constant data value region indicating (Void Extent) block has been recognised.

As will be appreciated from the above, in the decoding arrangements, the actual data values (e.g. in terms of their format and what they represent) that are generated for the set of data values to be used for a texture data block and for the individual texture data elements will depend on the nature of the texture data that is being encoded. Thus, for example, as discussed above, in the case of colour data and colour maps, each data value will represent a given colour, and, e.g., comprise a set of colour values, such as RGB or RGBa values. On the other hand, for a luminance map, each data value may comprise and represent a single luminance value. For normal-maps (bump maps), each data value will comprise a set of components representing a normal vector, and for shadow maps (light maps), each data value will comprise and represent a set of values indicating, e.g., the presence or absence, and amount of, light or shadow, and so on.

The above primarily describes the decoding process used in the embodiment of the technology described herein. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the encoding process will be carried out in a corresponding converse manner.

Thus, to encode a given texture map using the above encoding format in the present embodiment, the original texture map is first divided into blocks of a selected size.

Each block of texture data elements is then tested to see whether the set of texture data elements of the block can be encoded as having the same, constant data value. This is done by determining whether all the texture data elements of the block have sufficiently similar data values to be encoded as a constant data value block (based, e.g., and in an embodiment, on some selected, in an embodiment predetermined, similarity margin or threshold)

Where it is determined that the texture data elements of a block of texture data elements to be encoded all have sufficiently similar data values, then the extent of a contiguous extended region within the texture including the block in which every texture data element has sufficiently similar data values is determined. This is done by attempting to extend a rectangular (for 2D) or rectangular cuboid (for 3D) region outwards from the edge of the block of texture data elements in question (while still only including texture data elements having sufficiently similar data (e.g. colour) values). Any suitable process, e.g. algorithm, can be used for this.

It should be noted here that the constant data value region does not need to align with the boundaries of the blocks the original texture has been divided into for encoding purposes, but can only partially cover or overlap blocks that the original texture has been divided into.

If an extended “constant data value” region is found, then the block of texture data elements in question is encoded as a Void Extent block, having the form discussed above.

The constant data value for an encoded Void Extent block may be selected as desired, based on the value of the texture data elements in the original texture in the region of the texture in question. For example, an average of the values of the texture data elements of the block (or void extent region) could be used as the constant data value for the encoded Void Extent texture data block. Other arrangements would, of course, be possible.

It should be noted here that where a given block of texture data elements is found to fall within a constant data value region in the texture (and is encoded as such), that does not mean that other, e.g. adjacent, blocks of texture data elements that also fall within the same constant data value region do not need to be encoded. Rather, every separate block of texture data elements that falls within the same constant data value region (void extent) is still encoded as a respective separate encoded Void Extent texture data block specifying that region. This facilitates random access into the encoded texture.

The encoding process may also comprise identifying blocks of texture data elements as being constant data value blocks but which do not also specify a greater constant data value region (as discussed above), if desired. These blocks of texture data elements should then be encoded as “constant colour” blocks having the form discussed above.

Where it is determined that the set of texture data elements of a block of texture data elements don't all have sufficiently similar data values, then a “non-void extent” encoded texture data block representing the block of texture data elements having the form discussed above is generated.

The encoding process for a “non-constant data value” block can be carried out in any suitable manner on or using the original texture data that is to be encoded. For example, as in known prior art processes, the original data for the block could be encoded using some or all of the various different encoding and partitioning possibilities that are available (i.e. that, in effect, a “non-constant data value” encoded texture data block can represent). This will provide a set of possible encoded blocks that can then be compared with the original data, so as to determine, e.g., which encoded version of the block gives the least error (on reproduction) when compared to the original data (which encoding arrangement can then be selected as the one to use for that original texture data block when it is encoded).

This is done for each different block that the original data (e.g. texture map) has been divided into. The process may then be repeated using a different block size, and so on, if desired, until the block size and encoding arrangements giving the least error (or at least a sufficiently small error) is found, which may then be selected as the encoding arrangement to use for the texture.

The original texture may then be encoded using the determined block size and the encoding arrangement determined for each block (or the already encoded blocks from the testing used, if they have been retained), to produce a stream or set of encoded texture data blocks representing, and corresponding to, the original set of data (e.g. texture map). This set of encoded texture data blocks can then be stored, e.g. on a portable storage device such as a DVD, for later use, e.g., when it is desired to apply the texture to an image to be rendered.

In an embodiment a set of mipmaps is generated to represent the texture, with each mipmap in an embodiment being generated in the above manner. Where mipmaps are used, the compression rate (and bit rate) is in an embodiment varied for (is different for) different mipmap levels, with higher bit rates (i.e. lower levels of data compression) being used for smaller mipmap levels (i.e. lower resolution mipmap levels).

Each block that the original data (e.g. texture map) is divided into is in an embodiment the same size and configuration. The block size that is being used is provided to the decoder. This may be done, for example, by including (indicating) the block size in a (global) data header that is associated with (attached to) the set of encoded texture data blocks, or in any other suitable manner.

The selection algorithm can use any desired (and many different) testing schemes such as, for example, measuring the peak signal-to-noise ratio between the encoded version of a block and the original version of the block.

The encoding can be carried out as desired, e.g. using a suitably programmed general-purpose processor that, e.g., has access to the original texture data in memory, or a suitable dedicated processor could be used.

Although the above embodiment has been described with reference to texture data in the form of colours, as discussed above, and as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the technology described herein is also applicable to other forms of texture data, such as luminance-maps or bump-maps, etc., and to other, non-texture data. In such arrangements the data can be encoded or decoded in an advantageous manner, but each data value will, e.g., represent a luminance value or normal vector, etc., rather than a colour.

Similarly, although the present embodiment has been described primarily with reference to the encoding of square or cubical blocks of texels, other texel block arrangements and configurations, such as the encoding of non-square rectangular blocks of texels and non-cubical rectangular cuboid blocks of texels would be possible, if desired.

FIGS. 3 to 11 illustrate the basic encoded block layouts that the format of the present embodiment will produce. Each encoded block comprises, as discussed above, 128-bits.

FIG. 3 shows an overview of the basic block layout. Thus it shows the index mode data in bits 0-10, the “partition count-1” data in bits 11-12, and the filling of the remaining space with any necessary extra configuration data, and the respective endpoint colour data and texel index data (which are both of variable width).

FIG. 4 shows the layout for a non-partitioned block. Thus in this case, the “partition-count-1” data in bits 11-12 is set to “00” and the colour endpoint mode data (shown as CEM in FIG. 4) is placed in bits 13-16.

FIG. 5 shows the layout for a non-partitioned block but which uses two index planes. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, two bits are used to act as the colour component selector (CCS) for the second index plane. These bits appear immediately below the texel index data (which is variable width, as discussed above).

FIG. 6 shows the layout for a block encoding a block of texels (texture data elements) that has been divided into two partitions. In this case, the encoded block includes, as shown in FIG. 6, the “partition count-1” “01” (as there are two partitions) in bits 11-12, and the partition index (seed) for the partitioning pattern generation function in bits 13-22.

The encoded block also includes, as shown in FIG. 6, the colour endpoint mode pair selector (CPS) value in bits 23-24, and colour endpoint mode indicators (information) for each of the two partitions. The colour endpoint mode information comprises a respective colour endpoint class bit Cn and 2-bit colour endpoint mode field CMn for each partition n, and is arranged such that all the colour class bits for all the partitions are emitted first (in partition order), followed by the colour mode fields for each partition (in order). If this all requires more than 6 bits, then the additional bits are stored just below the texel index bits (which will be a variable position, as discussed above). It can be more efficient for a hardware decoder for the colour class bits to be at fixed positions in the encoded block.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, in the case of a two partition block, the colour endpoint mode pair selector (CPS) value is placed in bits 23-24, the respective colour class bits, C0, C1, for each partition (the first partition, partition 0, and the second partition, partition 1, respectively) are first placed in bits 25-26 (i.e. after the colour endpoint mode pair selector bits), and the 2-bit colour endpoint mode fields then follow (in partition order), up to the limit of 6-bits, with any remaining bits then being placed just below the texel index data. Thus, the colour endpoint mode indicator for the first partition (partition 0) is placed in bits 27-28 (CM0), and the colour endpoint mode for the second partition (partition 1) is placed in bits 53-54 (CM1). As shown, the additional bits required for the colour endpoint mode for the second partition (CM1) appear immediately below the texel index data. The block also includes appropriate sets of colour endpoint data for the two different partitions (endpoint colour data 0 and endpoint colour data 1, respectively).

FIG. 7 shows the layout for a block that encodes a block of texture data elements that has been divided into three partitions. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, there are three sets of colour endpoint class and mode data (C0, C1, C2, M (CM0), CM1 and CM2), one for each partition, arranged as discussed above in relation to FIG. 6, together with corresponding sets of endpoint colour data (endpoint colour data 0, endpoint colour data 1 and endpoint colour data 2), one for each partition. In this case the two bits of CM0 (denoted by “M” in FIG. 7) are, as shown in FIG. 7, split between bit 28 and a variable position immediately below CM1. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the “partition count-1” bits 11-12 are set accordingly to “10” to indicate that this is a three-partition block.

FIG. 8 shows the layout for a block that encodes a set of texture data elements that have been divided into four partitions. In this case, there is accordingly four sets of colour endpoint class and mode data and four sets of corresponding endpoint colour data, one for each partition. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the “partition count-1” bits 11-12 are set accordingly to “11” to indicate that this is a four-partition block.

FIG. 9 shows the layout for a block that encodes a set of texture data elements that have been divided into two partitions and that also uses two index planes. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the block includes a colour component selector (CCS) field for the second index plane. In this case, this colour component selector appears directly below the additional colour endpoint mode bits (CM1) for the second partition, which are in turn directly below the texel index data bits. (The same layout rule (scheme) applies to three and four partition blocks with dual index planes.)

FIG. 10 shows the layout for a 2D void-extent block (i.e. a block indicating a constant colour value). Thus, as shown, bits 0 to 8 of the block are set to indicate that the block is a void-extent block.

As shown in FIG. 10, the void-extent block includes data indicating the constant colour for the block, and the extent over which that colour extends, in terms of low and high S and T values.

FIG. 11 shows the layout for a 3D void-extent block. This layout essentially corresponds to the 2D void-extent block layout shown in FIG. 10, but includes a further extent component P (as the encoded block represents a 3D block of texture data elements).

As will be appreciated from the above, the technology described herein, in its embodiments at least, includes a number of new and particularly advantageous features.

The constant data value region indicating (Void-Extent) block encoding can be used to speed up texture filtering in the case where the texture filtering operation is confined to a known-constant-color region of a texture map.

The ability to use different indexing schemes, data generation schemes, partitioning arrangements, etc., using a common encoding format in the present embodiment, provides the ability to provide different levels of compression (i.e. to vary the bit rate (the number of bits used per texture data element)) that is being used for a given encoded texture data block. For example, by varying the block size being used, the indexing scheme, data generation scheme, and/or partitioning arrangement, etc., different levels of relative compression can be provided for a given block encoding arrangement and/or for a given texture map or maps, for example.

As can be seen from the above, the technology described herein provides, in its embodiments at least, a data compression format for use, e.g., for texture maps in hardware graphics acceleration, that is in particular suited for applications where random access into the encoded data is desired. It can provide a high compression rate, which accordingly is particularly advantageous for portable and low power devices where power, bandwidth and storage space may be limited. Notwithstanding the relatively high compression rate and smaller compact nature of the data compression format of the technology described herein, it is still very capable of compressing, for example, different kinds of images, and in particular both real-world images and drawings, with little loss of quality.

Thus the technology described herein has particular application to the mobile gaming market, since it provides a high compression rate and therefore is suitable for devices with limited memory resources and memory bandwidth. The high compression rate also facilitates, for example, downloading of games or other applications, since it can alleviate network bandwidth and end user cost issues which increase or are related to the download time.

Furthermore, this can be achieved whilst still providing high image quality (which, as is known in the art, is critical for small mobile devices that have a limited screen size (as is known in the art, the smaller the size and resolution of a screen, the more effect on the perceived image quality noise or other errors has)). The technique of the technology described herein can also be used for a wide range of texture maps, such as including high contrast scenarios (e.g. drawings) and textures with alpha (transparency) values. 

1. A method of encoding texture data elements of a texture to be used in a graphics processing system, comprising: generating one or more encoded blocks of texture data representing the texture data elements of the texture; and including in at least one of the encoded texture data blocks: data indicating that the block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, for at least one block of texture data elements that the texture to be encoded has been divided into for encoding purposes: determining whether the set of texture data elements of the block all have similar data values, and, if they do then: determining the extent of a region within the texture including the block in which every texture data element has a similar data value to the texture data elements of the block.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising including in at least one encoded texture data block that specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, at least one of: data indicating a constant data value to be used for the block, and data indicating the extent of the region within the texture that the block relates to.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the constant data value region indicating encoded texture data blocks specifies a region of the texture having a constant data value that includes both the texture data element positions of the set of texture data elements that the block is specifically intended to encode, and texture data element positions that extend beyond the texture data element positions of the set of texture data elements that the block is specifically intended to encode.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating at least two encoded texture data blocks, each specifying the same region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, when encoding the texture.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: dividing the texture map into a plurality of equal-sized blocks of texture data elements; encoding each block of texture data elements to generate an encoded texture data block representing the block of texture data elements; and storing the encoded blocks as an encoded representation of the texture map for use by a graphics processor; wherein: at least one of the blocks of texture data elements is encoded using the steps of generating and including.
 7. A method of determining a texture data element value for use in a graphics processing system from a set of encoded texture data blocks representing a texture to be used in a graphics processing system, the method comprising: determining which encoded texture data block in a set of encoded texture data blocks representing a texture to be used represents a texture data element whose value is required; determining whether the identified encoded texture data block that represents the texture data element whose value is required specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded; and if it does, determining the value to use for the texture data element from a constant data value that is indicated in the encoded texture data block; and if it does not: determining the value to use for the texture data element using data that is included in the encoded texture data block.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: where it is determined that the identified encoded texture data block that represents the texture data element whose value is required specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, then configuring and/or modifying the texture data element value determining operation in accordance with that determination.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the configuring and/or modifying of the texture data element value determining operation in response to the determination that the identified encoded texture data block that represents the texture data element whose value is required specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, comprises one or more of: not performing subsequent passes in a multi-pass texture mapping process; not sampling more detailed mipmaps in a multi-pass mip-mapping process; caching information from the constant data value region indicating block and using it to suppress cache filling from memory for subsequent texture data element value determining operations; and not loading adjacent encoded texture data blocks, where a constant data value region indicating block has been recognised and indicates that adjacent encoded texture data blocks will also return the same constant data value when sampled.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising: when the encoded texture data block that represents the texture data element whose value is required is a block that specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, determining from the encoded texture data block the extent of the constant data value region specified by the block, and storing that information for future use and/or reference.
 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising: when the texture data element value determining process uses a multipass process, and the first pass samples a same data value region, returning the constant data value as the final decoding result immediately after the first pass, without running any further passes.
 12. The method of claim 7, further comprising: when the value of a texture data element is to be determined, first determining if the position of the texture data element whose value is to be determined is within a previously encountered and stored same data value region of the texture, and: if it is, then using a stored constant data value for that same data value region as the value for the texture data element; and if the position of the texture data element whose value is required is not within a previously encountered and stored same data value region of the texture, then carrying out the steps of: determining which encoded texture data block in a set of encoded texture data blocks representing the texture to be used represents the texture data element whose value is required; determining whether the identified encoded texture data block that represents the texture data element whose value is required specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded; and: if it does, determining the value to use for the texture data element from a constant data value that is indicated in the encoded texture data block; and if it does not: determining the value to use for the texture data element using data that is included in the encoded texture data block.
 13. The method of claim 7, further comprising: when implementing mipmapping using a multipass method, sampling the least detailed required mipmap first, and if that samples a same data value region, then immediately using the indicated constant data value as the sampled texture data element value to use, and not sampling any more detailed mipmap that would otherwise normally be sampled as part of the multipass mipmapping process.
 14. An apparatus for encoding texture data elements of a texture to be used in a graphics processing system, the apparatus comprising: processing circuitry configured to generate one or more encoded blocks of texture data representing the texture data elements of the texture and to include in at least one of the encoded texture data blocks data indicating that the block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: processing circuitry configured to determine whether the set of texture data elements of a block of texture data elements that the texture to be encoded has been divided into for encoding purposes all have similar data values.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: processing circuitry configured to include in at least one encoded texture data block that specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, at least one of: data indicating a constant data value to be used for the block, and data indicating the extent of the region within the texture that the block relates to.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: processing circuitry configured to determine, for a block of texture data elements for which it is determined that the set of texture data elements of the block all have similar data values, the extent of a region within the texture including the block in which every texture data element has a similar data value to the texture data elements of the block.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: processing circuitry configured to generate, for a block of texture data elements for which it is determined that the set of texture data elements of the block do not all have similar data values, an encoded texture data block representing the block of texture data elements containing data to allow a decoder to generate data values for the texture data elements of the block of texture data elements.
 19. An apparatus for encoding a texture map for use in a graphics processing system, the apparatus comprising: processing circuitry configured to the texture map into a plurality of equal-sized blocks of texture data elements; processing circuitry configured to encode each block of texture data elements to generate an encoded texture data block representing the block of texture data elements; and processing circuitry configured to store the encoded blocks as an encoded representation of the texture map for use by a graphics processor; wherein at least one of the blocks of texture data elements is encoded by generating one or more encoded blocks of texture data representing the texture data elements of the texture and including in at least one of the encoded texture data blocks data indicating that the block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded1.
 20. An apparatus for decoding a set of encoded texture data blocks representing a texture to be used for in a graphics processing system to determine one or more texture data element values for use, the apparatus comprising: processing circuitry configured to determine which encoded texture data block in a set of encoded texture data blocks representing a texture to be used represents a texture data element whose value is required; processing circuitry configured to determine whether the identified encoded texture data block that represents the texture data element whose value is required specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded; and processing circuitry configured to: if it does, determine the value to use for the texture data element from a constant data value that is indicated in the encoded texture data block; and if it does not: determine the value to use for the texture data element using data that is included in the encoded texture data block.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: processing circuitry configured to, where it is determined that the identified encoded texture data block that represents the texture data element whose value is required specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, then configure and/or modify the texture data element value determining operation in accordance with that determination.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the configuring and/or modifying of the texture data element value determining operation in response to the determination that the identified encoded texture data block that represents the texture data element whose value is required specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, comprises one or more of: not performing subsequent passes in a multi-pass texture mapping process; not sampling more detailed mipmaps in a multi-pass mip-mapping process; caching information from the constant data value region indicating block and using it to suppress cache filling from memory for subsequent texture data element value determining operations; and not loading adjacent encoded texture data blocks, where a constant data value region indicating block has been recognised and indicates that adjacent encoded texture data blocks will also return the same constant data value when sampled.
 23. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: processing circuitry configured to, when the encoded texture data block that represents the texture data element whose value is required is a block that specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded, determine from the encoded texture data block the extent of the constant data value region specified by the block, and store that information for future use.
 24. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: processing circuitry configured to, when the texture data element value determining process uses a multipass process, and the first pass samples a same data value region, return the constant data value as the final decoding result immediately after the first pass, without running any further passes.
 25. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: processing circuitry configured to store data relating to previously encountered same data value regions in a texture being decoded; and processing circuitry configured to determine if the position of a texture data element whose value is to be determined is within a previously encountered and stored same data value region of the texture, and to, if it is, then use a stored constant data value for that same data value region as the value for the texture data element.
 26. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: processing circuitry configured to, when implementing mipmapping using a multipass method, sample the least detailed required mipmap first, and if that samples a same data value region, then immediately use the indicated constant data value as the sampled texture data element value to use, and not sample any more detailed mipmap that would otherwise normally be sampled as part of the multipass mipmapping process.
 27. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the apparatus is configured to assume that if a same data value region indicating encoded texture data block appears in a mipmap, then the same data value region applies to all more detailed mipmaps as well.
 28. A graphics processor comprising the apparatus of claim
 20. 29. An apparatus comprising: a graphics processing system; and an encoded representation of a texture map to be used in the graphics processing system, comprising: a set of encoded texture data blocks, each encoded texture data block representing a respective block of texture data elements of the texture map, and containing data to allow data values for the texture data elements of the block to be generated; wherein: at least one of the encoded texture data blocks specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded.
 30. A computer readable storage medium storing computer software code which when executing on one or more processors performs a method of encoding texture data elements of a texture to be used in a graphics processing system, comprising: generating one or more encoded blocks of texture data representing the texture data elements of the texture; and including in at least one of the encoded texture data blocks: data indicating that the block specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded.
 31. A computer readable storage medium storing computer software code which when executing on one or more processors performs a method of determining a texture data element value for use in a graphics processing system from a set of encoded texture data blocks representing a texture to be used in a graphics processing system, the method comprising: determining which encoded texture data block in a set of encoded texture data blocks representing a texture to be used represents a texture data element whose value is required; determining whether the identified encoded texture data block that represents the texture data element whose value is required specifies a region within the texture in which every texture data element is to be allocated the same data value when decoded; and if it does, determining the value to use for the texture data element from a constant data value that is indicated in the encoded texture data block; and if it does not: determining the value to use for the texture data element using data that is included in the encoded texture data block. 